Best Public Schools in Zip Code 36117

Zip code 36117 in Montgomery, AL, is served by 8 schools in the Montgomery County district, including 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, with a total enrollment of 4,464 students.

For families in this area, Blount Elementary School is the clear standout, earning the highest star rating (2 stars) and ranking in the 42nd percentile statewide. Blount also has the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (38.16%), the best student-teacher ratio (15.6:1), and the lowest chronic absenteeism among elementary schools (11.0%). Its test scores lead the area, with 63.93% proficiency in 3rd grade English and 53.13% in 4th grade Science—both above state averages. At the other end of the spectrum, Garrett Elementary School ranks in the 3rd percentile statewide with zero stars for three consecutive years, and its 4th grade Math proficiency has plummeted to just 6.12%. Wilson Elementary School stands out for exceptional attendance, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.3%—half the state average—though its academic performance remains mid-tier. The middle and high school options present significant challenges: Carr Middle School shows math proficiency rates between 7.9% and 17.5%, while Park Crossing High School has just 4.48% proficiency in 11th grade Math, though it maintains a strong 90.5% graduation rate.

A striking pattern across all schools is that English proficiency consistently outpaces Math by 2-4 times, suggesting a systemic issue with math instruction. There is also a stark correlation between poverty and performance—schools with higher free/reduced lunch rates like Dozier Elementary School (76.53%) and Wares Ferry Elementary School (67.59%) show the lowest test scores, while Blount's more affluent population achieves the best results. Interestingly, Halcyon Elementary School shows a dramatic spike in 5th grade English (77.65%), and Wilson spends the most per student ($10,131) yet doesn't outperform Blount, which spends less. Most schools are declining in rankings, with Wares Ferry dropping from the 18th to 3rd percentile in two years. For parents, Blount is the strongest elementary choice, while Wilson offers the best attendance environment; however, families should carefully weigh the significant academic challenges at the middle and high school levels.