Summary:
Zip code 36703 in Selma, Alabama, is served by 6 schools—5 elementary schools and 1 middle school—spanning the Selma City and Dallas County districts, with no high schools in the immediate area.
For parents, the standout story is Payne Elementary School, which achieves the best academic results in the zip code despite serving one of the highest poverty populations (96% free/reduced lunch). Payne leads in 3rd grade math (50% proficiency—more than double the district average) and has the lowest chronic absenteeism (4.4%) and best student-teacher ratio (16.4:1). In contrast, Clark Elementary School ranks near the bottom statewide (680th of 686) with 0% proficiency in 5th grade math and 4th grade science, plus a 17.9% chronic absenteeism rate. Sophia P Kingston Elementary School has the lowest poverty rate (76.72%) and highest per-student spending ($13,079) but shows mixed results, including 0% in 5th grade math. The only middle school, William R Martin Middle School, excels in 8th grade science (41.98% vs. 26.71% district) and 7th grade English (52.53%), but struggles with a 35.7% chronic absenteeism rate and declining math proficiency as students advance (17.28% in 6th grade down to 6.17% in 8th grade).
Key takeaways: Southside Primary School and Brantley Elementary School offer solid attendance (4.0% and 6.9% chronic absenteeism) but modest academics. A systemic 5th grade math crisis affects three of five elementary schools (Kingston, Clark, and Southside all below 12% proficiency). Science is a relative strength across grades. The most urgent needs are improving upper-elementary math, addressing middle school absenteeism, and stabilizing dramatic year-over-year proficiency swings—while replicating Payne's successful strategies could benefit the entire zip code.
Thank you for your feedback!