Best Public Schools in Zip Code 35905

Zip code 35905, serving the Glencoe, Alabama area, is home to three public schools within the Etowah County district, educating a total of 969 students across elementary, middle, and high school grades.

For parents, the standout academic performer is Glencoe Elementary School, which is the only school in the area with a 4-star rating and has shown remarkable improvement, jumping from the 54th to the 80th percentile in state rankings over two years. Its English and Science proficiency rates are significantly above state averages, making it a clear leader in the district. In contrast, Glencoe Middle School excels in student engagement, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 7.0%—half the district average—and boasts a strong 8th-grade Science proficiency of 74%. However, it struggles with mathematics, particularly in 6th grade where proficiency drops to a concerning 16.13%. Glencoe High School shines in post-secondary readiness with a 95.3% graduation rate, but its 11th-grade math proficiency of 14.81% is less than half the state average, suggesting a potential gap in college-level math preparation.

One of the most interesting findings is the dramatic "middle school slide" in math, where proficiency falls from above-average in 3rd grade to critically low by 6th grade. Additionally, there is a stark contrast in attendance, with the middle school's excellent rate versus the high school's 16.8% chronic absenteeism, which exceeds state averages. Science is a consistent strength across all three schools, with each outperforming state averages. While the high school's high graduation rate paired with low academic proficiency is a paradox worth noting, the elementary school's upward trajectory suggests a positive trend for the district. Overall, this is a district with distinct strengths in science and elementary education, but with clear challenges in middle school math and high school engagement.