Summary:
Zip code 36005 is home to just one school, Banks School, a PK-8 elementary school in the rural community of Banks, Alabama, serving 384 students within the Pike County district.
For parents considering this area, Banks School is a standout performer in English Language Arts, exceeding state averages by 15 to 31 percentage points in every grade level—with 5th grade hitting an impressive 90.63% proficiency. The school has also shown remarkable momentum, jumping from the 59th to the 81st percentile statewide over the past two years, and it outperforms its own district in nearly every subject and grade. Science is another bright spot, particularly in 4th grade where 75.68% of students are proficient compared to roughly 50% at both the district and state levels. Perhaps most notably, chronic absenteeism sits at just 8.6%—less than half the district rate of 17.4%—which is especially encouraging given that 65.1% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
The school's main challenge is mathematics, where proficiency declines steadily from 62.16% in 4th grade to just 25% in 8th grade. While 7th grade math (20.83%) still outpaces the district (9.30%), it lags the state average (24.46%). However, recent interventions appear to be working: 8th grade math jumped from 6.67% to 25% proficiency in just one year, and 8th grade English soared from 46.67% to 89.29%. With a favorable 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio and strong early-grade foundations, Banks School offers a tight-knit, high-achieving environment—particularly for literacy—while middle school math remains the key area for continued focus.
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