Best Public Schools in Zip Code 36278

Zip code 36278 (Wedowee, Alabama) is served by three schools within the Randolph County district, enrolling roughly 924 students across grades PK-12 in a predominantly low-income, rural area.

For parents, the standout school academically is Randolph County High School, which serves grades 7-12. It posts the strongest results in the area, including 8th grade science proficiency at 57.14% (above the state average) and 7th grade English at 60.87% (also above state). However, its overall performance is inconsistent—math proficiency lags badly (7th grade at 13.04% vs. 24.46% statewide), and 11th grade science drops to just 22.22%. The school’s graduation rate is 87%, below the state’s 91.5%. Wedowee Elementary School (PK-3) shows promise in early grades, with 3rd grade math at 47.62% (above district and state) and stable English scores near the state average. Wedowee Middle School (K-6) is the weakest performer, ranking in the bottom quartile statewide, with 5th grade math proficiency at just 16.67%—less than half the state average. Its chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 8.3%, but that hasn’t translated into academic success.

Key takeaways: Math is a district-wide weakness, with proficiency gaps of 6.6 to 11.4 points below state averages at every grade level. The 8th grade science anomaly at the high school—a 35-point drop by 11th grade—suggests a possible teacher or curriculum issue worth investigating. Chronic absenteeism is a serious problem at the elementary (20.7%) and high school (18.5%) levels, though the middle school excels in attendance. Notably, per-student spending doesn’t align with outcomes: Wedowee Middle School spends the most ($10,408) yet performs worst, while Wedowee Elementary spends the least ($8,725) and shows relative strength. The unusual grade configuration—middle school ending at 6th grade and high school starting at 7th—may contribute to transition challenges. Overall, parents should expect a district with systemic math struggles but pockets of excellence in early literacy and 8th grade science.