Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 36526

The three elementary schools in zip code 36526 (Daphne, Alabama) serve approximately 2,687 students across grades PK-6 and are part of the highly-rated Baldwin County district, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 76th percentile statewide.

For parents, this is an exceptionally strong cluster of schools—all three outperform district and state averages in nearly every subject and grade level. Belforest Elementary School is the standout, with the largest enrollment (1,069 students) and the highest academic outcomes, including a 68.79% science proficiency rate and a stable state ranking in the 88th percentile. It also has the lowest poverty rate (23.95% free/reduced lunch) and the highest student-teacher ratio (15.8:1), suggesting that smaller class sizes aren't the primary driver of its success. Daphne East Elementary School is a solid mid-tier option, exceeding district averages in most subjects, though its state ranking has slipped slightly from 97th to 120th over three years. It posts the best attendance (6.8% chronic absenteeism) and a 67.97% 3rd-grade math proficiency rate—the highest in the group. Daphne Elementary School is the smallest (671 students, grades PK-3) and has the highest poverty rate (44.11%), yet it leads the group in 3rd-grade English proficiency (82.39%) and offers the best student-teacher ratio (14.9:1).

Key takeaways: English/language arts is a universal strength, with proficiency rates of 76-86% across all grades. Math shows the widest gap between schools—a 14-point spread in 4th grade—and proficiency declines as grades advance, a trend these schools mitigate but don't eliminate. All three schools have dramatically lower chronic absenteeism (6.8-7.2%) than the district (11.2%) or state (12.0%), reflecting strong family engagement. Notably, Daphne Elementary spends more per student ($10,217) than Daphne East ($8,449) yet shows lower performance, raising questions about resource allocation. Overall, this zip code represents a community of high performers where socioeconomic factors correlate with achievement, but every school provides a solid educational foundation.