Summary:
Zip code 35754 in Laceys Spring, Alabama, is served by a single elementary school, Laceys Spring Elementary School, which enrolls 277 students across grades PK through 8 as part of the Morgan County district.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that this school shows a clear "strong start, weak finish" pattern. In the early grades, students perform competitively with state averages despite a high poverty rate—73.65% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. For example, 3rd grade math proficiency is 50.0% (above the state's 44.9%), and 4th grade English hits 61.5% (above the state's 59.5%). However, academic performance drops sharply as students advance. By 8th grade, math proficiency collapses to just 4.6%—a staggering 32.6 percentage points below the district average—and English proficiency falls to 27.3%, which is 31.2 points below the state. Science follows a similar trend: 4th grade is near average (51.3% vs. 50.2% statewide), but 8th grade lags by 17.7 points. The school's small size (277 students) amplifies year-to-year swings, as seen in 7th grade English jumping from 31.8% to 57.7% in one year, while 8th grade math dropped from 17.2% to 4.6%.
Chronic absenteeism is another concern, with a rate of 12.7%—36.6% higher than the district's 9.3%—which may contribute to the middle school decline. The school's state ranking has fluctuated between the 39th and 55th percentiles over three years, reflecting instability. Per-student spending is $10,425, and the student-teacher ratio is 15.7:1. While early elementary instruction appears effective given the poverty level, the school struggles to sustain growth through middle school, particularly in math. Parents should consider this trajectory when evaluating the school, especially for families with older children or those concerned about the transition to upper grades.
Thank you for your feedback!