Best Public Schools in Zip Code 36054

Zip code 36054 in Millbrook, Alabama, is served by three public schools within the Elmore County district, enrolling nearly 3,000 students across elementary, middle, and high school levels. For parents, the standout is Stanhope Elmore High School, which earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the 74th percentile statewide, outperforming state averages in math, science, and English. Its math proficiency jumped 4.5 points in one year, though its graduation rate of 84.5% trails the state average by 7 points—a disconnect worth noting. Millbrook Middle School is the consistent improver, climbing 50 spots in state rankings over two years, but it remains a 3-star school with math proficiency lagging far behind English (23-40% vs. 56-67%). Coosada Elementary School serves only PK-2 and has no test scores, but it leads the zip code with the lowest chronic absenteeism (9.9%) and the best student-teacher ratio (14.7:1).

Key metrics reveal a clear secondary-level challenge: both Millbrook Middle (13.4%) and Stanhope Elmore (13.1%) exceed the state's 12% chronic absenteeism average, while Coosada sits well below it. Spending also varies significantly—Coosada spends $9,760 per student, 34% more than Millbrook Middle's $7,287, despite similar poverty rates (56% vs. 58%). At Millbrook, a striking anomaly is 6th grade math (40.3% proficient) versus just 23.6% in 5th and 7th grades, suggesting a possible cohort or program effect. Meanwhile, Stanhope Elmore's science scores dropped 7.3 points while math improved, indicating volatility that parents may want to monitor.

For families, the feeder pattern is worth understanding: Coosada only covers PK-2, so students transition schools twice before reaching Millbrook Middle, which may contribute to the lower 5th grade scores. The district itself is 4-star rated, but Millbrook Middle's 3-star status suggests it could benefit from sharing best practices with its higher-performing district peers. Overall, this area offers a strong high school, an improving middle school, and a solid elementary start, but secondary attendance and math intervention are clear areas for parental attention.