Summary:
Zip code 36272 is home to a single middle school, Piedmont Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 with an enrollment of 223 students in the Piedmont, AL area. This small school is part of the highly regarded Piedmont City district, which holds a perfect 5-star rating and ranks in the top 7% of all districts in Alabama.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that Piedmont Middle School delivers exceptional academic results that far exceed state averages. In the most recent school year, math proficiency rates ranged from 51% to 72% depending on grade level, compared to a state average of just 24% to 35%. English Language Arts is an even greater strength, with proficiency rates between 70% and 80%, outpacing the state by 15 to 25 percentage points. The school has maintained a 5-star rating and a top-10% state ranking for three consecutive years, demonstrating consistent, sustainable excellence rather than a one-year fluke. Notably, this performance is achieved despite 59% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, a common indicator of economic disadvantage that often correlates with lower test scores.
Another standout feature is the school's remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of just 2.0%, which is three times lower than the district average and six times lower than the state average of 12%. This suggests a highly engaged student body and strong family support, likely contributing to the academic success. The student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 allows for personalized attention. One minor pattern worth noting is a slight dip in 7th-grade math proficiency compared to 6th and 8th grades, though scores remain far above state levels. Overall, Piedmont Middle School offers a stable, high-performing environment that defies socioeconomic expectations and provides an excellent education for families in this area.
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