Summary:
Zip code 35967 is home to a single public high school, Fort Payne High School, which serves grades 9 through 12 within the Fort Payne City district, an area that has shown strong educational momentum in recent years.
For parents considering this area, Fort Payne High School stands out as a rapidly improving institution. The school has climbed from the 50th percentile in state rankings (2023-2024) to the 82nd percentile (2025-2026), now ranking 68th out of 380 Alabama high schools with a 4-star rating. This dramatic 32-percentile-point jump over two years is particularly impressive given that 62.21% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating a majority low-income student body that is still achieving above state averages. In the most recent testing year, the school outperformed the state in all three 11th-grade subjects: Math (35.36% proficient vs. 27.21% state), Science (47.51% vs. 36.17%), and English (37.57% vs. 33.73%). The science program is a clear standout, exceeding both state and district averages by significant margins.
Beyond test scores, the school excels in student engagement and outcomes. The graduation rate is an exceptional 98.0%, well above the state average of 91.5%, and chronic absenteeism is just 7.8% compared to the state's 12.0%—a strong indicator that students are consistently attending class and staying on track. The student-teacher ratio is 16.7:1, and the school outperforms its own district averages in every subject, suggesting specialized strengths at the high school level. One note for parents: the most recent spending data available is from 2018-2019 ($9,252 per student), so current funding levels may differ. Overall, Fort Payne High School offers a compelling combination of rising academic performance, strong attendance, and high graduation rates, making it a solid choice for families in the 35967 area.
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