Summary:
Zip code 36352 is home to just one high school, Wicksburg High School in Newton, AL, which serves grades 7 through 12 and enrolls 461 students as part of the Houston County district.
For parents, this is a standout school in every measurable way. Wicksburg ranks in the top 15% of all Alabama high schools, holding an 87th percentile ranking for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. Its graduation rate is exceptional at 98.5%, far outpacing the district (93.1%) and state (91.5%) averages. The school also keeps students engaged, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 4.4% compared to 12.0% statewide. Academically, Wicksburg crushes both district and state proficiency rates across every subject and grade level. The most impressive results come in the middle grades: 85.5% of 8th graders are proficient in English and 71% in math—more than double the state averages. Even in 11th grade, where scores dip, the school still beats the state in math (50% vs. 27.2%) and English (45.8% vs. 33.7%).
The most notable takeaway is the sharp drop in proficiency between 8th and 11th grade—11th-grade math falls 21 points and English falls nearly 40 points. This suggests the school's foundational instruction is superb, but upper-level coursework may be more rigorous or need extra support. Another key point: Wicksburg achieves these results while 32.75% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a moderate poverty rate that often correlates with lower performance elsewhere. The school's low absenteeism and consistent year-over-year success (similar patterns appeared in 2024-2025 data) point to a stable, effective learning environment. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.1 and per-student spending of $8,550, Wicksburg delivers outstanding value and is an excellent choice for families in this area.
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