Summary:
Zip code 36360 in Ozark, Alabama, is served by two elementary schools within the Ozark City school district, which together educate roughly 877 students across grades PK-6 in a community facing significant economic challenges.
For parents comparing the two campuses, Harry N Mixon Intermediate School currently stands out as the stronger academic performer. It has shown recent improvement, climbing to the 52nd percentile with a 3-star rating in 2023-2024, and it maintains a more favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 compared to Joseph W Lisenby Primary School's 17:1. Mixon also excels in attendance, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.0%—exactly half the state average—despite serving a population where 80% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Lisenby Primary, which serves younger students in grades PK-2, has experienced a notable decline from its 4-star rating in 2012-2013 to its current 2-star status, though it still maintains a solid 9.4% chronic absenteeism rate, better than both district and state averages.
Academically, the data reveals a mixed picture at Mixon Intermediate. English proficiency improves steadily with grade level, reaching 66.7% in 5th grade—nearly matching the state average of 69.5%—suggesting effective literacy interventions. However, mathematics proficiency declines from 49.2% in 3rd grade to 35.8% in 5th grade, and 4th-grade science proficiency (39.7%) lags the state average by over 10 points. Both schools face systemic challenges reflected in the district's 29th percentile ranking, but their strong attendance outcomes despite high poverty rates indicate resilient school communities. Parents should note that Lisenby spends slightly more per student ($9,925) yet has larger class sizes, suggesting funds may go toward specialized services for younger learners rather than additional teaching staff.
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