Summary:
Middle Schools in zip code 36863 consist of a single school, Lanett Junior High School, which serves grades 7 and 8 in the Lanett City district, a small, economically diverse area in eastern Alabama.
With only one middle school in this zip code, Lanett Junior High School is the sole option for families, and the data paints a challenging picture. The school is ranked in the bottom 5th percentile statewide (422 out of 443) with a 0-star rating for 2025-2026, a decline from the previous year’s 13th percentile. Academic proficiency is far below state averages across every subject and grade level. For example, only 1.18% of 7th graders are proficient in math (state average: 24.46%), and 8th-grade English proficiency is 20.59% versus the state’s 58.53%. Even the strongest subject, 8th-grade science, shows just 20.59% proficiency compared to the state’s 54.12%. The school also faces significant socioeconomic hurdles: 58.5% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and chronic absenteeism is 15.7%, higher than the state’s 12.0%.
For parents, the key takeaway is that this school is struggling systemically, not just in one area. Math is a critical concern, with 7th-grade proficiency dropping from 6.41% to 1.18% in one year, while 8th-grade science improved from 10.61% to 20.59%, suggesting some variability by cohort or teacher. The student-teacher ratio is 17.2, which is relatively high, potentially limiting individual attention. The most recent spending data is from 2018-2019 ($10,778 per student), making it hard to assess current funding. Overall, while the school faces real challenges tied to poverty and attendance, the consistent underperformance across all metrics suggests families should carefully consider academic support options if choosing this school.
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