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Needs Improvement

#1346 of 1,356 schools in AL

C J Donald Middle School

Middle School · Fairfield City

715 Valley Rd, Fairfield, AL 35064

Enrollment

314

Student-Teacher

24.2:1

Score

2.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#1,346 of 1,356

In Fairfield

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Fairfield City

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C J Donald Middle School

2.4/10

Middle School in Fairfield · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fairfield High Preparatory School

3.1/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Charles a Brown Elementary School

7.1/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About C J Donald Middle School

C J Donald Middle School is a public middle school in Fairfield, AL, part of Fairfield City. C J Donald Middle School serves approximately 314 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 24.2:1 student-teacher ratio. C J Donald Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,346 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for C J Donald Middle School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.2 pts below AL schools
  • This school 2.4 · Needs Improvement
  • AL avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

C J Donald Middle School runs 24.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

31% of students at C J Donald Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,266
Chronic Absenteeism30.6%

C J Donald Middle School — Students at C J Donald Middle School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
17%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How C J Donald Middle School Compares

See how C J Donald Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.4/10
1th percentile in AL
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.1/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.6%

Location

715 Valley Rd, Fairfield, AL 35064

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering C J Donald Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Green Acres Middle School (rated 4.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Birmingham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jones Valley Middle School (rated 3.5/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Birmingham), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fairfield, see our Fairfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Fairfield High Preparatory School Fairfield 0.2 mi 3.1
Charles A Brown Elementary School Birmingham 0.5 mi 7.1
RESTORATION ACADEMY Fairfield 0.5 mi 6.6
Robinson Primary School Fairfield 1.0 mi 5.7
Wylam Elementary School Birmingham 1.2 mi 7.1
BUILD UP Birmingham 1.4 mi 6.2
Central Park Elementary School Birmingham 1.2 mi 6.2
Green Acres Middle School Birmingham 1.5 mi 4.1
Minor Elementary School Birmingham 1.7 mi 5.7
MT PILGRIM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fairfield 1.8 mi 4.8
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Birmingham 1.9 mi 6.3
JacksonOlin High School Birmingham 2.1 mi 1.9
Midfield Elementary School Midfield 2.2 mi 5.1
Jones Valley Middle School Birmingham 2.3 mi 3.5
MIRACLE ACADEMY PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Birmingham 2.5 mi
Glen Oaks Elementary School Fairfield 2.5 mi 4.5
West End Academy Birmingham 2.2 mi 6.8
Richard Arrington Elementary Birmingham 2.3 mi 8.4
Midfield High School Midfield 2.8 mi 4.9
Wenonah High School Birmingham 2.8 mi 2.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35064 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,581

Median Home Value

$119,900

Median Rent

$997/mo

Population

9,929

College Educated

24.7%

Homeownership

59%

Avg Commute

23.4 min

Poverty Rate

30%

Median Age

30.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Wilkerson Middle School Birmingham, AL 2.2
LEAD Academy Building B Montgomery, AL 2.1
Calloway Smith Middle School Mobile, AL 2.8
Smith Middle School Birmingham, AL 1.9
Tuskegee Public Elementary Tuskegee, AL 3.0
Booker T Washington Middle School Mobile, AL 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about C J Donald Middle School

What grades does C J Donald Middle School serve?

C J Donald Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend C J Donald Middle School?

C J Donald Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 314 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at C J Donald Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at C J Donald Middle School is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does C J Donald Middle School rank in AL?

C J Donald Middle School ranks #1,346 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is C J Donald Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

C J Donald Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at C J Donald Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, C J Donald Middle School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is C J Donald Middle School a charter school?

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

Is C J Donald Middle School a Title I school?

No, C J Donald Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for C J Donald Middle School?

84.7% of students at C J Donald 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

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.6%

District

Fairfield City
District Enrollment
1,321
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,266
District Rank
#4 of 4

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