Summary:
Zip code 36262 is home to just one elementary school, Fruithurst Elementary School, which serves students in Pre-K through 6th grade in the rural community of Fruithurst, Alabama, as part of the Cleburne County school district.
For parents considering this area, Fruithurst Elementary School is a standout performer that consistently beats both district and state averages. The school has climbed from the 72nd percentile in state rankings in 2023-2024 to the 88th percentile in 2025-2026, a jump of 109 positions in just two years. Mathematics is a particular strength—5th grade math proficiency sits at 84.4%, which is more than double the state average of 39.1%. English scores are also strong in most grades, with 3rd, 5th, and 6th graders all outperforming state averages by 15 to 26 percentage points. The one notable weakness is 4th grade English, where only 55% of students are proficient, falling below both the district (67.1%) and state (59.5%) averages. This represents a sharp drop for that cohort, which scored 80% in 3rd grade English the year before, suggesting a possible curriculum transition issue worth investigating.
The school also excels in areas beyond test scores. Despite 52.65% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, chronic absenteeism is just 5.1%—less than half the district rate of 10.2% and well below the state's 12.0%. With a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 and per-student spending of $10,129, the school provides a supportive environment for individualized attention. Year-over-year improvements are consistent across most subjects, with 6th grade English jumping 21.8 points and 4th grade math improving 15.4 points. Overall, Fruithurst Elementary School offers exceptional academic performance, particularly in math, and a positive school climate that keeps students engaged—making it a strong choice for families in this area.
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