Summary:
Zip code 35578 is served by a single school, Lupton Junior High School, a PK-8 elementary campus in the Walker County district with 448 students and a moderate poverty rate of 53% free/reduced lunch.
Despite its name, Lupton Junior High School is a standout academic performer, particularly in STEM subjects. In 2025-2026, 7th and 8th-grade math proficiency rates (42.86% and 42.31%) were nearly double the district averages and significantly outpaced state averages. The school also excels in science, with 8th-grade proficiency at 65.38% versus the state's 54.12%, and shows strong English results, including an 80.49% proficiency rate in 5th grade. The school consistently beats both district and state averages across nearly every grade and subject, making it a clear academic leader within Walker County. Its state ranking peaked at 105th out of 680 schools (4 stars) in 2024-2025 before dropping to 215th (3 stars) in 2025-2026, likely due to a sharp 19-point decline in 3rd-grade English proficiency (from 89.74% to 70.37%).
The most pressing concern is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 23.7%—more than double the district (11.0%) and state (12.0%) averages. This creates a paradox: the students who attend regularly perform at high levels, but a significant portion of the student body is missing enough school to be considered chronically absent. The volatility in metrics, such as the 3rd-grade English drop, also highlights the challenge of small class cohorts, where a single year's group can heavily influence school-wide trends. For parents, this school offers exceptional math and science instruction and a strong overall academic culture, but addressing attendance will be key to sustaining its success and unlocking even greater potential for all students.
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