Summary:
Zip code 35580, serving the Parrish, Alabama area, is home to just one school: Parrish Elementary/Middle School, a PK-8 campus within the Walker County district that educates 288 students.
For parents, this small school offers a notably strong foundation in the early grades. Third-grade math proficiency (57.58%) and fourth- and fifth-grade English scores (70.37% and 72.73%) all beat state averages, showing that younger students are getting a solid academic start. The school’s most impressive asset, however, is its culture of attendance: only 1.8% of students are chronically absent, compared to 11% district-wide and 12% statewide—a remarkable achievement that speaks to strong family and community engagement. The school also outperforms its district in several key areas despite 61.46% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, suggesting effective teaching in the elementary years.
The main challenge is a sharp "middle school cliff" in math. While 3rd through 6th grade math exceeds state averages, 7th grade math proficiency collapses to just 4.35%—over 20 points below the state average—and 8th grade math (13.04%) also lags significantly. English scores in 7th and 8th grades also fall below state averages, and 4th grade science (40.74%) trails the district by over 20 points. Year-to-year results are volatile due to small class sizes (roughly 20-30 students per grade), as seen in a 27.5-point drop in 7th grade English and a 27.8-point jump in 6th grade math. The school’s ranking has rebounded from the 53rd percentile to the 61st percentile, and with its exceptional attendance and strong early-grade performance, it has clear potential to return to its 4-star status if the middle school math slump is addressed.
Thank you for your feedback!