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Very Good

#512 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 38% in state

Ariton School

School · Dale County

264 Creel Richardson Drive, Ariton, AL 36311

Enrollment

881

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#36 of 90

In district

#4 of 7

Dale County

Academic performance

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Ariton School

Ariton School serves 881 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the rural community of Ariton, Alabama. With 48 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio, providing opportunities for more personalized attention in this comprehensive public school setting. Academically, Ariton School earns a 6.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #429 out of 1,360 Alabama schools, placing it in the 68th percentile statewide.

The school demonstrates particular strength in reading and language arts, with 52% of students performing at proficient levels or above across all grades. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 39% of students reaching proficiency standards, indicating an area where the school is focusing its improvement efforts. The school serves a working-class community where the median household income is $44,926 and median home values average $111,400.

About 27% of families in the area experience poverty, while 10% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. These community characteristics reflect the dedication required to support student success in a rural educational environment. Ariton School sits in Alabama's Dale County countryside, providing students with a close-knit educational experience rooted in rural Alabama values and community connections.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Ariton School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.1Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Reading vs. State Avg-30.8 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,476

Ariton School — Students at Ariton School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 45.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.7%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
52%
2024
ELA
93.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.

How Ariton School Compares

See how Ariton School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
62th percentile in AL
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

Location

264 Creel Richardson Drive, Ariton, AL 36311

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ariton School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Zion Chapel High School (rated 7.2/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Jack), with a very similar rating. Another option is PIKE LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Troy), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PATHWAY INC (rated 4.8/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby New Brockton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ariton, see our Ariton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Pike County High School Brundidge 9.4 mi 6.8
Joseph W Lisenby Primary School Ozark 10.6 mi 8.7
D A Smith Middle School Ozark 11.0 mi 6.0
Pike County Elementary School Brundidge 10.7 mi 7.2
Carroll High School Ozark 11.3 mi 5.7
GW Long Elementary School Skipperville 10.4 mi 7.8
George W Long High School Skipperville 10.4 mi 7.2
Harry N Mixon Intermediate School Ozark 12.4 mi 8.7
Barbour County Intermediate School Louisville 15.7 mi 6.5
Banks School Banks 16.4 mi 7.6
PATHWAY INC New Brockton 16.3 mi 4.8
Harrand Creek Elementary School Enterprise 19.2 mi 6.9
PIKE LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOL Troy 18.0 mi 6.7
Daleville High School Daleville 19.8 mi 4.5
Daleville Middle School Dalevile 19.8 mi 6.5
Zion Chapel High School Jack 17.2 mi 7.2
A M Windham Elementary School Daleville 20.1 mi 7.7
Rucker Boulevard Elementary School Enterprise 19.9 mi 7.9
Holly Hill Elementary School Enterprise 19.7 mi 7.8
New Brockton Elementary School New Brockton 18.8 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36311 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,274

Median Home Value

$126,300

Median Rent

$712/mo

Population

2,688

College Educated

9.6%

Homeownership

81.1%

Avg Commute

24.7 min

Poverty Rate

23.3%

Median Age

33.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ariton School has a median household income of $44,274. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $126,300, with a median rent of $712/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
J U Blacksher School Uriah, AL 7.1
Plainview School Rainsville, AL 7.1
Sand Rock High School Sand Rock, AL 7.1
Sulligent School Sulligent, AL 7.0
Zion Chapel High School Jack, AL 7.2
Cedar Bluff High School Cedar Bluff, AL 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ariton School

What grades does Ariton School serve?

Ariton School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Ariton School?

Ariton School has an enrollment of approximately 881 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ariton School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ariton School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ariton School rank in AL?

Ariton School is ranked #512 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Ariton School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ariton School has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ariton School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ariton School has 45.0% math proficiency and 69.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ariton School a charter school?

No, Ariton School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ariton School a Title I school?

No, Ariton School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ariton School?

60.8% of students at Ariton School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (228/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
881
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dale County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dale County
District Enrollment
3,313
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,213
District Rank
#4 of 7

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 methodology

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