Summary:
Zip code 36535 in Foley, Alabama, is served by five public schools within the Baldwin County district, including three elementary schools (PK-6), one middle school (7-8), and one high school (9-12), collectively enrolling 5,332 students.
For parents, the standout performer is Foley High School, which earned a 4-star rating and jumped 61 spots in state rankings over two years—though its 11th-grade test scores still trail state averages, and its chronic absenteeism rate (21.5%) is nearly double the district norm. Among elementary schools, Magnolia School shines in English Language Arts, posting a 75.33% proficiency rate in 5th grade—the highest of any elementary grade—while Foley Elementary School and Florence B Mathis Elementary both exceed the state average in 3rd-grade reading. Foley Middle School is a science powerhouse, with 64.6% of 8th graders proficient—more than 10 points above the state—but math proficiency drops sharply during the transition to middle school, falling from 22.35% in 6th grade to 16.42% in 7th.
The most pressing concern is a systemic math decline across upper elementary grades, with proficiency plummeting from 31.68% in 3rd grade to just 18.61% by 5th grade. All schools serve predominantly low-income populations (57-63% free/reduced lunch), yet poverty rates don't predict performance—Foley Elementary School has the highest poverty rate but outperforms others in several metrics. Resource allocation also raises questions: Foley Elementary School spends $1,451 more per student than Florence B Mathis Elementary with no measurable academic advantage. While early literacy is a clear strength, the district's high school graduation rate (86.3%) lags state averages, and chronic absenteeism at Foley High School remains a red flag for families considering this area.
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