Summary:
Zip code 36301, encompassing the Dothan, Alabama area, is home to three middle schools serving grades 4 through 8 across two distinct districts: Dothan City and Houston County.
For parents, the most striking takeaway is the dramatic performance gap between the two districts. Rehobeth Middle School is the clear standout, ranking 48th in the state (89th percentile) with a 4-star rating, and it showed remarkable growth—7th grade math proficiency jumped from 31.63% to 56.25% in one year. Its counterpart, Rehobeth Elementary School, also performs well above state averages, with 5th grade English proficiency at 80.95%. In stark contrast, Dothan Preparatory Academy struggles significantly, with math proficiency around 10%—less than one-fifth of Rehobeth Middle's rate—and a 1-star district rating. This disparity exists despite similar socioeconomic profiles (71% vs. 55% free/reduced lunch), suggesting factors like school culture and instructional quality are key drivers.
Chronic absenteeism is a powerful indicator of these differences. Dothan Prep's rate of 23.7% is nearly double the state average and over six times higher than Rehobeth Elementary's 3.6%, correlating strongly with its lower test scores. Interestingly, Rehobeth Elementary achieves strong results despite having the highest student-teacher ratio (22.6:1), while Dothan Prep has a lower ratio (18.4:1) with weaker outcomes. The two Rehobeth schools share a campus, creating a seamless K-8 pathway that may reduce transition disruptions. However, both Rehobeth schools show a "middle school transition" dip in 6th and 7th grade math, while Dothan Prep's science proficiency (43.55%) is a relative strength compared to its math scores, indicating students can succeed in content-based subjects even when foundational skills lag.
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