Summary:
Zip code 36726 is home to a single middle school, Camden School Of Arts Technology, which serves grades 7-8 with 148 students in the Wilcox County district, an area marked by significant economic need where over 91% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
As the only middle school option in this area, Camden School Of Arts Technology provides a small, stable learning environment with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. However, academic performance presents a mixed picture. Mathematics is the most critical concern, with 7th grade proficiency at 0% and 8th grade at just 7.25%, both far below state averages of roughly 24-26%. English scores are inconsistent, with 7th grade dropping sharply from 49.25% to 26.25% year-over-year, while 8th grade improved from 25.3% to 36.23%. The standout positive is science, where 8th grade proficiency jumped dramatically from 23.17% to 40.58%, a 75% relative improvement that suggests effective instructional changes in that subject.
The school has ranked consistently in the bottom 20% of Alabama middle schools over the past three years (15th-18th percentile), indicating persistent challenges rather than a temporary dip. Chronic absenteeism sits at 14.0%, slightly above the state average of 12.0%. Per-student spending is relatively substantial at $12,337, yet outcomes remain low, raising questions about how effectively resources are being deployed. Notably, the school's test scores exactly mirror district-level scores, confirming it is the primary driver of Wilcox County's middle school metrics. For parents, this school offers personalized attention due to its small size, but families should be aware of the significant math struggles and consider how the school's targeted improvements in science might be replicated across other subjects.
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