Summary:
Zip code 35953 in Ashville, Alabama, is served by three public schools within the St Clair County district, enrolling a combined 1,225 students across elementary, middle, and high school grades.
For parents, the standout is Ashville Middle School, which consistently earns 3-star ratings and ranks in the 62nd percentile statewide—the highest of the three. It dramatically outperforms district and state averages in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math, with proficiency rates 11 to 15 points above the district. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism (8.2%) despite having the highest student-teacher ratio (20:1) and lowest per-student spending ($6,938). In contrast, Ashville Elementary School shows a troubling decline, dropping 140 ranking spots in one year as 3rd and 4th grade math proficiency fell by 17 to 20 points. Ashville High School faces the most serious challenges: an 84.1% graduation rate (7.4 points below the state), only 23.08% of 11th graders proficient in English (a 14.8-point gap from the district), and the highest chronic absenteeism at 11.8%.
Key takeaways include a dramatic "English cliff" between 8th grade (48.98% proficient) and 11th grade (23.08%), suggesting a rigor increase or literacy issue in upper grades. The high school spends $13,515 per student—nearly double the middle school—yet produces the weakest results, raising questions about resource allocation. All three schools serve similar socioeconomic populations (roughly 53-55% free/reduced lunch), so performance gaps likely stem from school-level factors like leadership and instruction rather than demographics. The elementary school's math volatility warrants immediate attention, as it may foreshadow future middle school challenges. Overall, this district is solidly average for Alabama, but the middle school proves strong outcomes are achievable even with limited resources.
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