Summary:
Zip code 35613 in Athens, Alabama, is home to a single high school, East Limestone High School, which serves grades 6 through 12 and enrolls 1,216 students within the Limestone County school district.
As the only high school in the area, East Limestone High School stands out for its exceptional academic performance and rapid improvement. The school has climbed from a rank of 111th in 2023-2024 to 46th out of 380 schools in 2025-2026, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide. Its graduation rate of 95.5% significantly exceeds both the district (89.8%) and state (91.5%) averages. In nearly every subject and grade level, the school outperforms its district by wide margins—for example, 11th grade math proficiency (38.79%) is 2.7 times higher than the district average (14.47%), and 11th grade science proficiency (53.33%) is more than double the district rate (24.20%). Middle school English proficiency is particularly strong, with 6th and 7th grade rates around 72%, well above state averages. The most dramatic gains occurred in upper grades, with 11th grade math jumping 15.4 percentage points and 11th grade English rising 13.5 points in just one year.
Despite these strengths, there are a few areas of concern. Chronic absenteeism stands at 12.7%, slightly above the state average of 12.0% and nearly double the district rate of 7.2%, which is unusual given the school's strong test scores. Additionally, per-student spending of $7,987 is modest, yet the school achieves results well above state benchmarks, suggesting efficient resource use. With 34.05% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a moderately diverse economic population while still delivering strong outcomes. Overall, East Limestone High School is a high-performing, upward-trending institution that offers a solid academic foundation for families in the 35613 area.
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