Summary:
Zip code 35747, located in Grant, Alabama, is home to just one high school, Kate D Smith DAR High School, which serves grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 372 students as part of the Marshall County school district.
For parents considering this area, Kate D Smith DAR High School stands out for its exceptional attendance and graduation outcomes. The school reports a chronic absenteeism rate of just 1.0%, which is dramatically lower than the state average of 12.0%, and a graduation rate of 94.3%, outperforming both the district (90.6%) and state (91.5%). Academically, the school shows notable strength in science, with 41.67% of students proficient compared to 36.17% statewide, and English proficiency at 42.25% also exceeds state levels. However, mathematics remains a challenge, with only 22.22% proficiency, lagging behind the state average of 27.21%. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1 and a free/reduced lunch rate of 42.74%, reflecting a moderate level of economic diversity.
One interesting trend is that while test scores have remained stable or improved—especially in science, which rose by 4.77 points year-over-year—the school's state ranking has slipped from the 77th to the 99th percentile over three years. This suggests that other schools across Alabama are improving at a faster pace, even as this school's absolute performance holds steady. With per-student spending of $11,985, the school appears to use its resources effectively, given its strong graduation and attendance metrics. The small school size likely contributes to a tight-knit community atmosphere, which may explain the remarkably low absenteeism. Overall, Kate D Smith DAR High School is a solid choice for families seeking a supportive environment with strong science and English programs, though parents should be aware of the math proficiency gap and the competitive pressure from improving schools statewide.
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