Summary:
Zip code 36856 in Fort Mitchell, Alabama, is served by two elementary schools within the Russell County district, together educating roughly 769 students from Pre-K through 5th grade, with no middle or high schools located in the immediate area.
Both schools share a notable strength in student attendance. Mt Olive Primary School (grades PK-2) reports a chronic absenteeism rate of just 7.6%, while Mount Olive Intermediate School (grades 3-5) is even better at 5.2%—less than half the state average of 12.0%. The primary school also offers a more favorable student-teacher ratio (17.6:1 vs. 20.2:1) and serves a slightly less economically disadvantaged population (32.31% vs. 37.68% free/reduced lunch). However, the intermediate school spends more per student ($9,863 vs. $8,494), which may reflect the costs of standardized testing and more specialized instruction in upper elementary grades.
Academically, the picture is mixed. English Language Arts is a clear strength at the intermediate school, with 3rd grade (70.37%) and 5th grade (71.56%) proficiency exceeding state averages. However, mathematics proficiency declines sharply by grade level—from 44.44% in 3rd grade to just 25.45% in 5th grade, a 35% deficit compared to the state. A notable anomaly is the 4th grade ELA drop of nearly 7 points year-over-year, while 5th grade ELA jumped 10.5 points, suggesting a possible cohort effect. Science proficiency (44.83% in 4th grade) also trails state averages. The district itself ranks 94th out of 139 Alabama districts (2 stars), and the intermediate school has maintained a stable 2-star rating in the 44-46th percentile for three years. For parents, the key takeaway is that these schools offer excellent attendance and solid reading skills, but targeted math support—especially for grades 4 and 5—would be beneficial.
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