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Below Average

#1136 of 1,356 schools in AL

Athens Middle School

Middle School · Athens City

100 Hwy 31 North, Athens, AL 35611

Enrollment

911

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Athens

#9 of 14

public schools

Alabama middle schools

#188 of 262

In district

#5 of 8

Athens City

About Athens Middle School

Athens Middle School serves 911 students in grades 6-8 in Athens, Alabama, providing middle school education with a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1 across 51 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #625 out of 1360 Alabama schools, placing it in the 54th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. Academically, Athens Middle School shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 51% of students score proficient or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, with 20% of students achieving proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 6.1 out of 10 reflects these mixed results as educators work to support student development across all subject areas. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $54,094 and median home values reach $169,600.

About 21% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 17% of families live below the poverty line in this ZIP code of 28,375 residents. Athens Middle School is situated in a town on the fringe of an urban area in Limestone County, offering students both small-town familiarity and access to broader regional opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51%
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,655

Athens Middle School — Students at Athens Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
51%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Athens Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
16th percentile in AL
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

Location

100 Hwy 31 North, Athens, AL 35611

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Athens Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Athens Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brookhill Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Endeavor Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Harvest), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Athens, see our Athens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Athens High School Athens 0.6 mi 4.7
ATHENS BIBLE SCHOOL Athens 0.6 mi 6.6
Athens Renaissance School Athens 0.9 mi 4.2
Julian Newman Elementary School Athens 1.2 mi 7.4
LINDSAY LANE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Athens 1.5 mi 5.2
Athens Elementary School Athens 1.4 mi 8.6
Brookhill Elementary School Athens 1.7 mi 8.6
James L Cowart Elementary School Athens 2.5 mi 4.3
Athens Intermediate School Athens 2.7 mi 6.9
Piney Chapel Elementary School Athens 3.8 mi 6.1
Tanner Elementary School Tanner 5.0 mi 5.5
Tanner High School Tanner 5.1 mi 5.1
Alabama Connections Academy Athens 6.5 mi 3.6
East Limestone High School Athens 6.8 mi 5.2
Johnson Elementary School Athens 7.7 mi 7.4
Elkmont Elementary School Elkmont 8.9 mi 7.0
Elkmont High School Elkmont 8.9 mi 4.6
Creekside Primary School Harvest 8.7 mi 7.8
Creekside Elementary School Harvest 8.7 mi 7.0
Endeavor Elementary School Harvest 9.5 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35611 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,606

Median Home Value

$201,700

Median Rent

$796/mo

Population

29,077

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

61.1%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

17.4%

Median Age

40.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Athens Middle School has a median household income of $54,606. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,700, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
ClayChalkville Middle School Trussville, AL 4.9
Moody Middle School Moody, AL 4.9
East Samford School Auburn, AL 5.0
Erwin Middle School Center Point, AL 5.0
Millbrook Middle School Millbrook, AL 5.0
Russell County Middle School Seale, AL 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Athens Middle School

What grades does Athens Middle School serve?

Athens Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Athens Middle School?

Athens Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 911 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Athens Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Athens Middle School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Athens Middle School rank in AL?

Athens Middle School is ranked #1136 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Athens Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Athens Middle School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Athens Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Athens Middle School has 27.7% math proficiency and 48.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Athens Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Athens Middle School a Title I school?

No, Athens Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

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

58.6% of students at Athens Middle 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

City Safety
High (2,316/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Athens). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
911
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Limestone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Athens City
District Enrollment
5,034
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,561
District Rank
#5 of 8

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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