Schools in Zip Code 35633

Zip code 35633 in Florence, Alabama, is served by four public schools—three elementary schools and one high school—spanning two districts, Florence City and Lauderdale County, with a combined enrollment of 2,558 students.

The standout school in this area is Forest Hills School, which ranks in the top 20% of Alabama elementary schools and holds a 4-star rating. It leads all local schools in math (56.89% proficiency) and English (75.17% proficiency), far exceeding state averages, and has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 9.2%—roughly half the district rate. Among the Lauderdale County schools, Underwood Elementary School performs best, with 49.1% math and 68.36% English proficiency, while Central Elementary School trails at 38.41% math and 62.86% English. Central High School posts a strong 94.4% graduation rate and impressive 8th-grade scores (50% math proficiency), but its chronic absenteeism rate of 27% is more than double the state average, and its 11th-grade proficiency drops sharply.

Notably, all four schools have nearly identical socioeconomic profiles (free/reduced lunch rates between 43.76% and 46.94%), yet academic outcomes vary widely, pointing to school-level factors like instruction and leadership as key differentiators. A concerning trend is the 6th-grade math decline at Underwood, which fell 40% year-over-year to 18.18% proficiency. Across the board, English proficiency consistently outpaces math, and year-to-year ranking volatility at Central High suggests small cohort sizes can skew results. For parents, Forest Hills School is the clear academic leader, while the Lauderdale County schools offer solid options with specific challenges around attendance and math achievement.