Best High Schools in Zip Code 36442

Zip code 36442 is home to a single public high school, Florala High School, which serves grades 7 through 12 in the small town of Florala, Alabama, as part of the Covington County school district.

For parents considering this area, Florala High School is a small school with 233 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.5, offering a notably strong high school experience. The school has shown dramatic improvement, jumping from the 44th percentile (2 stars) in 2024-2025 to the 77th percentile (4 stars) in 2025-2026, placing it in the top quarter of Alabama high schools. Its graduation rate of 92.5% exceeds the state average of 91.5%, and chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 7.8% compared to the state's 12.0%. The most impressive academic gains are seen in 11th grade, where students significantly outperform both district and state averages in Science (42.42% proficient vs. 36.17% state) and English (43.75% vs. 33.73% state). This is particularly noteworthy given that 56.22% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, suggesting the school effectively supports students despite socioeconomic challenges.

However, there is a clear academic divide by grade level. While 11th-grade performance is a standout, 7th and 8th-grade math proficiency is a significant weakness, with rates roughly half of the district average (e.g., 8th-grade Math at 20.59% vs. 42.86% district). This suggests the school's strength lies in its upper-grade programming, which successfully develops students over time, but middle school math may need attention. The school spends $11,855 per student, and its 4-star rating reflects a positive trajectory. For parents, this school offers a supportive environment with strong high school outcomes, but those with younger students should be aware of the math challenges in the middle grades.