Best Schools in Fort Payne, Alabama
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Fort Payne?
Use this page to compare every school in Fort Payne by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Little Ridge Intermediate School
Elementary · Fort Payne City. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ruhuma Junior High School
Elementary · Dekalb County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Fort Payne Middle School
Middle · Fort Payne City. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Fort Payne for 2026 are Little Ridge Intermediate School (9.0/10), Ruhuma Junior High School (8.3/10), and Fort Payne Middle School (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
7.1
out of 10
Median Home
$155,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
7.1
out of 10
Median Home
$155,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Fort Payne
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Ridge Intermediate School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Ruhuma Junior High School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Fort Payne Middle School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Williams Avenue Elementary School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Fort Payne High School | 4.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.1/10
- Median household income
- $48,125
- Median home value
- $155,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Fort Payne compares
Alabama rank
#39 of 179
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above Alabama avg (6.4)
Median household income
$48k
81% of Alabama median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Fort Payne, Alabama
Fort Payne, Alabama is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.1 out of 10, schools in Fort Payne perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Fort Payne is Little Ridge Intermediate School with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Fort Payne is served by 2 school districts: DeKalb County, Fort Payne City. These districts collectively serve 12,254 students.
Fort Payne's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $48,125. The poverty rate in the area is 22.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 755 students · 3rd–5th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 774 students · Pre-K–2nd | 8.9 |
| 3 | 163 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 756 students · 6th–8th | 6.4 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,112 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 153 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.2 |
Schools in Fort Payne
Fort Payne, Alabama · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$48,125
Median Home Value
$155,700
Median Rent
$678/mo
Population
17,342
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
22.9%
Community Profile
Fort Payne has a median household income of $48,125. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,700, with a median rent of $678/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Alabama
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Alabama
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Fort Payne, Alabama
How many schools are in Fort Payne, Alabama?
Fort Payne has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Fort Payne, Alabama?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Fort Payne is 7.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Fort Payne, Alabama?
The top-ranked school in Fort Payne on MySchoolScout is Little Ridge Intermediate School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Fort Payne, Alabama?
The top-ranked elementary school in Fort Payne on MySchoolScout is Little Ridge Intermediate School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Fort Payne, Alabama?
The top-ranked middle school in Fort Payne on MySchoolScout is Fort Payne Middle School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
What is the best high school in Fort Payne, Alabama?
The top-ranked high school in Fort Payne on MySchoolScout is Fort Payne High School with a composite score of 4.7/10.
How many school districts serve Fort Payne, Alabama?
Fort Payne is served by 2 school districts: Dekalb County, Fort Payne City.
What is the education level in Fort Payne, Alabama?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Fort Payne have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Fort Payne, Alabama?
The median household income in Fort Payne is approximately $48,125 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Fort Payne, Alabama?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Fort Payne is 16.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Fort Payne, Alabama?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Alabama Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.