Summary:
Zip code 35811 in the Huntsville, Alabama area is served by two middle schools—Riverton Intermediate School (grades 4-6) and Chapman Middle School (grades 6-8)—which belong to the Madison County and Huntsville City districts, respectively, and together enroll nearly 1,200 students.
These two schools offer vastly different educational experiences. Riverton Intermediate School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 76th percentile statewide. Its 6th grade math proficiency rate of 64.86% is more than 12 times higher than Chapman Middle School's 5.38%, and its English scores (69.07% proficient) are nearly triple Chapman's (25.81%). Riverton also exceeds both district and state averages in every tested subject, while serving a more affluent population (32.45% free/reduced lunch) with lower chronic absenteeism (10.2%). In contrast, Chapman Middle School holds a 2-star rating, ranks in the 8th percentile statewide, and serves a high-poverty student body (77.46% free/reduced lunch). Chapman's math scores are critically low—8th grade proficiency sits at just 4.21%, and was 0% the previous year—though its English scores are comparatively stronger (38.54% in 8th grade).
Several findings stand out for parents. Despite Chapman's academic struggles, it actually has lower chronic absenteeism (7.9%) than Riverton (10.2%), suggesting attendance isn't the main issue. Chapman also has a more favorable student-teacher ratio (15:1 vs. 21.1:1), yet performs dramatically worse, raising questions about resource allocation. The grade configuration creates a challenging transition: students move from Riverton's high-performing environment in 6th grade to Chapman's struggling one for 7th and 8th grades. While Riverton shows stable, strong performance, Chapman's math crisis—with proficiency rates in the single digits—points to a need for targeted interventions beyond just reducing class sizes or improving attendance.
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