Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 36312

Zip code 36312 is home to a single elementary school, Ashford Elementary School, which serves students in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade within the Houston County school district in Alabama.

For parents considering this area, Ashford Elementary School stands out as a high-performing institution that defies expectations given its student demographics. With 668 students enrolled and 65.57% qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school still manages to outperform the state average in nearly every subject and grade level. The school holds a 4-star rating and is ranked 161st out of 686 Alabama elementary schools, placing it in the 77th percentile. This ranking has remained remarkably stable over the past three years, indicating consistent, reliable academic outcomes. In mathematics, proficiency rates range from 58.76% in 4th grade to 71.29% in 3rd grade, significantly exceeding state averages. English proficiency is similarly strong, with 5th graders achieving a 73.74% proficiency rate. The student-teacher ratio sits at 18.2, which is typical for public schools, and per-student spending is $9,417.

One of the most impressive metrics is the school's chronic absenteeism rate of just 1.5%, which is dramatically lower than the district's 5.3% and the state's 12.0%. This near-perfect attendance suggests a highly engaged student body and strong family involvement, likely contributing to the school's academic success. However, there are areas for improvement. Fourth-grade math shows a notable dip, with proficiency dropping to 58.76% in 2025-2026, below the district average of 63.32%. This pattern was even more pronounced the previous year, suggesting a transition-year challenge that may require targeted interventions. Additionally, 4th-grade science proficiency (52.58%) only slightly exceeds the state average and lags behind the district's 60.55%, indicating the science curriculum may not be as robust as the literacy and math programs. Overall, Ashford Elementary School offers a strong educational foundation with exceptional attendance and above-average academics, though parents may want to monitor math and science support as their children progress through the grades.