Schools in Zip Code 35967

Zip code 35967, encompassing Fort Payne, Alabama, is served by five public schools spanning pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, split between the Fort Payne City district (four schools) and the DeKalb County district (one school).

Fort Payne High School is the standout performer, earning the area's only 4-star rating. Its 98% graduation rate far exceeds the state average, and its state ranking has soared from the 50th to the 82nd percentile in just two years. The high school also posts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (7.8%) among the larger schools and outperforms state averages in math, science, and English. In contrast, Ruhuma Junior High School, the sole county school, holds a 2-star rating and consistently scores 10-20 percentage points below state proficiency averages, despite having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the entire zip code at just 2.5%. This suggests that while student attendance is excellent, academic challenges remain significant, possibly due to its small size (175 students) and the highest free/reduced lunch rate (67.4%).

Among the city district's elementary and middle schools, Fort Payne Middle School shows strong 8th-grade English (66.1% proficient) and science (61.1% proficient) scores, both well above state averages. Little Ridge Intermediate School excels in 5th-grade English (72.3% proficient) but lags in math and science. Wills Valley Elementary School maintains a solid student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1. All schools serve a significant low-income population, with free/reduced lunch rates between 62% and 67%. A clear district divide emerges: city schools generally meet or exceed state benchmarks, while the county school struggles academically despite higher per-student spending ($12,393). For parents, this area offers a strong high school and solid elementary options, but the middle school years in the county system may require additional attention.