Summary:
Zip code 36439 in Excel, Alabama, is served by a single school, Excel High School, an alternative PK-12 institution with 1,010 students in the Monroe County district.
Despite its "alternative" label, Excel High School functions as a comprehensive community school, and it stands out as a bright spot within a district ranked in the bottom quartile statewide. The school's graduation rate of 92.1% exceeds both the district (87.7%) and state (91.5%) averages. Its most impressive achievement is in 11th-grade English, where 48.65% of students are proficient—nearly double the district rate (26.85%) and well above the state (33.73%). Eleventh-grade science (38.67%) and math (28%) also outperform district averages by significant margins. The school shows consistent year-over-year improvement, with 8th-grade science jumping from 45.68% to 60.81% proficiency, now exceeding the state average. With a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1 and 59.6% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a community with moderate economic need while still achieving strong outcomes at the secondary level.
The most notable challenge is a clear split between elementary and secondary performance. Elementary grades lag significantly behind state averages—5th-grade math proficiency is just 20% versus the state's 39.06%, and 3rd-grade math sits at 32.89% versus 44.89% statewide. However, by 11th grade, students have closed this gap and often exceed state benchmarks, suggesting effective intervention or instructional strategies in later grades. Chronic absenteeism (13.1%) is slightly above the state average (12.0%) but better than the district (16.9%). For parents, this school offers a strong high school experience with improving test scores and a high graduation rate, though families with younger children may want to monitor elementary math progress closely. The school's upward trajectory and ability to outperform its district make it a noteworthy option in this rural area.
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