Best Public Schools in Zip Code 36866

Zip code 36866, serving the Notasulga, Alabama area, is home to three public schools spanning grades PK-12 with a combined enrollment of roughly 1,200 students across the Tallapoosa County and Macon County districts.

For parents, the standout choice in this area is Reeltown Elementary School, which posts exceptional early literacy results—84% of 3rd graders are proficient in English, far outpacing the state average. However, the same school struggles with math, where only 27% of 4th graders are proficient, revealing a strong reading program but a clear weakness in mathematics. Reeltown High School offers the best overall high school experience, with a stellar 98.2% graduation rate, low chronic absenteeism (8.8%), and a remarkable 8th grade math proficiency rate of 50.7%—nearly double the state average. Yet, its state ranking has slipped for three straight years, suggesting that while students stay engaged and graduate, academic rigor in other subjects may need attention. In contrast, Notasulga High School faces significant hurdles, with 78% of students on free/reduced lunch, chronic absenteeism at 21.6%, and multiple subjects showing zero proficiency. Despite this, it shows pockets of promise, like 44% proficiency in 8th grade science, indicating that targeted support could unlock more potential.

Key takeaways for families: Reeltown schools are the stronger performers, especially in early literacy and 8th grade math, but math instruction needs improvement across the board. Notasulga High, despite spending the most per student ($13,672), achieves the lowest outcomes, highlighting that poverty and attendance—not just funding—drive results. Year-to-year scores fluctuate widely due to small class sizes, so a single year's data may not tell the full story. Overall, this zip code offers a solid option in Reeltown, but families should be aware of the stark achievement gap between the two districts and the need for targeted math interventions.