Summary:
Zip code 36580 in Summerdale, Alabama, is served by a single elementary school, Summerdale School, a PK-8 institution within the Baldwin County district that enrolls 615 students and serves a community where 64% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
For parents considering this area, Summerdale School presents a mixed picture. The school's clear strength is English Language Arts, where 5th graders achieved 75% proficiency in 2025-2026, nearly matching the district's 76.7% and exceeding the state's 69.53%. However, mathematics is a significant concern across every grade level. The gaps are stark: 4th grade math proficiency sits at just 14.29% compared to the district's 48.08%, and 7th grade math is even lower at 9.38% versus the district's 34.56%. Even the strongest math performance—5th grade at 31.25%—falls roughly 12 points behind the district average. Science scores also lag, with 4th grade at 34.92% and 8th grade at 46.94%, both well below district benchmarks. The school's overall ranking has slipped from the 48th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 35th percentile in 2025-2026, placing it in the bottom third of Alabama schools despite its district ranking in the top quartile statewide.
There are some encouraging signs. Chronic absenteeism is a bright spot at 10.9%, actually better than both the district (11.2%) and state (12.0%) averages, suggesting strong student engagement despite economic challenges. Year-over-year data shows volatility rather than consistent trends—5th grade English jumped 21 points while 4th grade math dropped 11 points—which may reflect changing student cohorts. The 4th grade appears to be a particularly difficult transition year, with the lowest scores in both math and English. For parents, this means Summerdale School offers solid reading instruction but requires supplemental math support, especially for students entering 4th and 7th grades.
Thank you for your feedback!