Best Public Schools in Zip Code 35749

Zip code 35749 in Harvest, Alabama, is served by six schools—four elementary schools, one ninth-grade campus, and one high school—spanning the Madison County and Limestone County districts, with a combined enrollment of roughly 4,864 students.

For parents, the standout choice in this area is Creekside Elementary School, which ranks in the 81st percentile statewide and dramatically outperforms its district peers. Its English proficiency rates range from 74% to 84% across grades 3-5, and math proficiency exceeds the Limestone County average by 20+ points in every grade. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism in the zip code at just 6.9%. At the other end of the spectrum, Harvest School struggles significantly, ranking in the bottom 23rd percentile with math proficiency as low as 15% in 5th grade—roughly half the state average—and the highest chronic absenteeism at 18%. Endeavor Elementary School sits in the middle, with strong English scores (69-81%) but math scores that decline from 65% in 3rd grade to 43% in 5th grade. At the secondary level, Sparkman High School is a consistent performer, ranking in the 85th percentile with a 96.5% graduation rate and outperforming state averages in all subjects. The separate Sparkman Ninth Grade School shows promise with a zero dropout rate and lower absenteeism than the main high school.

Key takeaways for families: the district divide creates stark inequities—Creekside outperforms Harvest by 30-40 points in math and English despite being just miles apart. Math proficiency declines across all elementary schools as students progress from 3rd to 5th grade, suggesting a systemic curriculum issue. Chronic absenteeism strongly correlates with performance, with an 11-point gap between the best and worst schools. Notably, per-student spending does not predict outcomes—Harvest spends the most ($9,888) yet performs worst, while Creekside spends the least ($8,226) and performs best. There are no traditional middle schools in this zip code, which may contribute to transition challenges. However, Sparkman High School shows positive momentum with improving math scores and a rising state ranking, offering a strong option for families with older students.