Summary:
Zip code 35806 in the Huntsville, Alabama area is home to two elementary schools serving grades Pre-K through 5th grade: Providence Elementary in the Huntsville City district and Monrovia Elementary School in the Madison County district, presenting a stark contrast in academic outcomes within a small geographic area.
Monrovia Elementary School is the clear standout, ranking 62nd out of 686 Alabama elementary schools (91st percentile) with a 5-star rating for 2025-2026, a status it has maintained for three consecutive years. Its proficiency rates are exceptional, with 5th grade English at 92.8% and 3rd grade math at 79.2%, both far exceeding state averages by 30-40 percentage points. In contrast, Providence Elementary ranks 553rd (19th percentile) with a 1-star rating, and its ranking has declined by 48 positions over the past three years. Providence's proficiency rates fall below both its district and state averages in every subject and grade level, with 4th grade math at just 17.4% compared to the state's 42.1%.
The schools also differ significantly in resources and demographics. Monrovia benefits from a lower student-teacher ratio (17.1:1 vs. 21.3:1) and higher per-student spending ($9,592 vs. $7,858), while 59.2% of Providence students qualify for free/reduced lunch versus 30.5% at Monrovia. Interestingly, Providence has lower chronic absenteeism (4.9%) than Monrovia (9.9%), suggesting attendance is not the primary driver of its struggles. For parents, this zip code offers two very different educational environments: one that consistently ranks among the state's best and another that is struggling and declining, making school choice a critical factor in educational outcomes.
Thank you for your feedback!