Summary:
Zip code 35633 in Florence, Alabama, is home to three elementary schools serving approximately 1,962 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade, split between the Florence City and Lauderdale County districts.
Forest Hills School is the standout performer in this area, ranking in the 81st percentile statewide with a 4-star rating. It serves grades K-5 with the largest enrollment (906 students) and the most favorable student-teacher ratio at 14.3:1. Its academic proficiency rates consistently exceed state averages in both math and English, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 9.2% is well below the state average of 12.0%. In contrast, Underwood Elementary School holds a 3-star rating (68th percentile) and Central Elementary School sits at 2 stars (50th percentile). Both county schools struggle with chronic absenteeism rates around 18-19%, nearly double that of Forest Hills, and both show a dramatic decline in 6th-grade math proficiency—Underwood drops to just 18.18% and Central to 24.51%.
Despite similar socioeconomic demographics (free/reduced lunch rates between 43.76% and 46.94%), Forest Hills significantly outperforms both county schools, suggesting that its lower student-teacher ratio and district resources play a key role. Underwood shows strong early-grade performance (84% English proficiency in 3rd grade) but suffers from inconsistent results in later grades, likely due to its small enrollment of 343 students. Central Elementary has shown a concerning downward trajectory, falling from the 67th percentile in 2023-2024 to its current 50th percentile ranking. For parents, Forest Hills offers the most consistent academic experience, while the county schools present challenges in upper-grade math and attendance that families should consider when evaluating options in this area.
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