Summary:
The 03809 ZIP code has two public schools serving about 809 students: Alton Central School, which serves pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, and Prospect Mountain High School, which serves grades 9–12, with students divided nearly evenly between the two schools.
Alton Central School has the more encouraging recent academic trend. Its proficiency improved from the prior year in math, reading, and science, including a 14-point gain in science. Science is its strongest subject overall, with 40% proficiency compared with 38% statewide, while reading proficiency is 51% and math proficiency is 32%. Its eighth-grade results are especially strong: 67% proficiency in reading and 50% in science, both well above state averages. However, math remains a concern, particularly in grades 5 and 6. The school’s ranking has also improved over three years, and its student-teacher ratio is a relatively low 9.3 to 1. It is part of the Alton School District.
Prospect Mountain High School has the stronger graduation outcome but a more concerning recent academic direction. Its 89.5% graduation rate is above the 87% state average, and reading proficiency is 56%, slightly above the state figure. Math proficiency, however, is only 13%, compared with 44% statewide, while science proficiency is 30%. All three tested subjects declined from the previous year, with science falling 19 points. The school’s dropout rate matches the state rate at 2.3%, but its recent ranking dropped substantially after a stronger showing the prior year. Families comparing the schools should view Prospect Mountain JMA School District as offering solid completion results alongside a need for improvement in math and science.
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