Best Schools in Fort Payne, Alabama
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
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%
67% 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
#25 of 179
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above Alabama avg (6.5)
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 measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
The highest-performing school in Fort Payne is Wills Valley Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10, 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 | 774 students · Pre-K–2nd | 8.7 |
| 2 | 755 students · 3rd–5th | 8.7 |
| 3 | 163 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 756 students · 6th–8th | 7.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,112 students · 9th–12th | 3.6 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 153 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.1 |
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.
Quick Facts
- State
- Alabama
- Total Schools
- 6
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Districts
- 2
- Avg Rating
- 7.1/10
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Alabama
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently 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, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Fort Payne, Alabama?
The top-ranked school in Fort Payne on MySchoolScout is Wills Valley Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Fort Payne, Alabama?
The top-ranked elementary school in Fort Payne on MySchoolScout is Wills Valley Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
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 7.3/10.
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 3.6/10.
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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
Related reading
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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.