Summary:
Zip code 36207 in Anniston, Alabama is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12: Anniston High School and White Plains High School, which together educate 894 students across two different districts—Anniston City and Calhoun County.
These two schools offer vastly different experiences. White Plains High School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating for three straight years and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide. It exceeds state averages in science (47.8% proficient vs. 36.2%) and English (56.2% vs. 33.7%), and boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate with only 5.3% chronic absenteeism—less than half the state average. In contrast, Anniston High School holds a 1-star rating and ranks in the 11th-18th percentile, with proficiency rates of just 11.8% in math, 8.4% in science, and 18.8% in English—all well below state averages. Its graduation rate is a respectable 92%, but chronic absenteeism runs at 15.3%.
Perhaps the most striking finding is the spending paradox: Anniston High School spends 52% more per student ($15,432 vs. $10,143) yet achieves far weaker results. The two schools also differ significantly in student demographics, with 78.9% of Anniston students qualifying for free/reduced lunch versus 40.4% at White Plains. On a positive note, Anniston showed dramatic year-over-year improvement in English (+14.7 points) and math (+9.4 points), suggesting its trajectory is heading in the right direction. For parents, White Plains clearly offers stronger academics and attendance, while Anniston—despite its challenges—is demonstrating meaningful progress that may continue in coming years.
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