Needs Improvement
#1318 of 1,356 schools in AL
Fort Payne High School
High School · Fort Payne City
201 45th St NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967
Enrollment
1,112
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,112
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fort Payne
#6 of 6
public schools
Alabama high schools
#280 of 308
In district
#5 of 5
Fort Payne City
About Fort Payne High School
Fort Payne High School serves 1,112 students in grades 9-12 in Fort Payne, Alabama, operating as a regular public school in DeKalb County. With 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1, providing reasonable class sizes for this sizable high school. Academically, Fort Payne High School has room for growth, with 25% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and 21% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school ranks #963 out of 1,360 Alabama high schools, placing it in the 29th percentile statewide, indicating opportunities for continued focus on student academic development and support. The school serves a working-class community where the median household income is $45,639 and median home values average $141,100. About 16% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 21.5%, reflecting the economic challenges many students may face.
These demographics highlight the important role the school plays in providing educational opportunities and support for its student body. Fort Payne High School sits in a town setting within a ZIP code area home to over 17,000 residents, anchoring education for families in this northeastern Alabama community.
Score Breakdown
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Fort Payne High School — Students at Fort Payne High School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.0/10.
How Fort Payne High School Compares
See how Fort Payne High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 21% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
201 45th St NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fort Payne High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wills Valley Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Little Ridge Intermediate School (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ruhuma Junior High School (rated 8.3/10, 9.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Payne, see our Fort Payne schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Payne Middle School Fort Payne | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Wills Valley Elementary School Fort Payne | 0.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Little Ridge Intermediate School Fort Payne | 0.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Williams Avenue Elementary School Fort Payne | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Valley Head High School Valley Head | 6.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Ruhuma Junior High School Fort Payne | 9.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Plainview School Rainsville | 8.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Sylvania School Sylvania | 9.6 mi | 7.4 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rainsville | 9.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Henagar Junior High School Henagar | 11.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Menlo Elementary School Menlo | 11.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Ider School Ider | 15.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Rosalie Elementary School Pisgah | 15.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Fyffe High School Fyffe | 13.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Gaylesville High School Gaylesville | 16.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Pisgah High School Pisgah | 16.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Sand Rock High School Sand Rock | 17.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Dutton Elementary School Dutton | 16.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Cedar Bluff High School Cedar Bluff | 18.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Lyerly Elementary School Lyerly | 16.1 mi | 4.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35967 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,125
Median Home Value
$155,700
Median Rent
$678/mo
Population
17,342
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
71.1%
Avg Commute
19.6 min
Poverty Rate
22.9%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fort Payne High School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ClayChalkville High School Pinson, AL | 3.6 |
| Hillcrest High School Tuscaloosa, AL | 3.6 |
| Woodlawn High SchoolMagnet Birmingham, AL | 3.6 |
| Moody High School Moody, AL | 3.7 |
| Paul W Bryant High School Cottondale, AL | 3.5 |
| Pinson Valley High School Pinson, AL | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Payne High School
What grades does Fort Payne High School serve?
Fort Payne High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Fort Payne High School?
Fort Payne High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,112 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Payne High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fort Payne High 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 Fort Payne High School rank in AL?
Fort Payne High School is ranked #1318 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Fort Payne High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fort Payne High School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Fort Payne High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort Payne High School has 26.3% math proficiency and 32.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fort Payne High School a charter school?
No, Fort Payne High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fort Payne High School a Title I school?
No, Fort Payne High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort Payne High School?
70.5% of students at Fort Payne High 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Payne). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,112
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- DeKalb County
- Phone
- (256) 845-0535
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fort Payne City- District Enrollment
- 3,550
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,328
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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