Very Good
#441 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 32% in state
Fort Payne Middle School
Middle School · Fort Payne City
4910 Martin Ave NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fort Payne
#4 of 6
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#22 of 262
In district
#3 of 5
Fort Payne City
Academic performance
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Fort Payne Middle School
Fort Payne Middle School serves 756 students in grades 6-8 in Fort Payne, Alabama, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 with 48 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #284 out of 1,360 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 79th percentile and earning a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. Academically, Fort Payne Middle School shows particular strength in English Language Arts, with 55% of students performing at proficient or above levels across all grades.
Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 30% of students currently achieve proficient or above status. The school's overall academic score of 7.3 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student development and educational progress. The school serves a diverse community where families have a median household income of $45,639 and median home values of $141,100.
With 16% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 21.5%, the school works with students from varied economic backgrounds within DeKalb County. Fort Payne Middle School is situated in a town setting that provides students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to educational resources and opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Fort Payne Middle School — Students at Fort Payne Middle School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.4%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.7/10.
How Fort Payne Middle School Compares
See how Fort Payne Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
4910 Martin Ave NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fort Payne Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Little Ridge Intermediate School (rated 8.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wills Valley Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ruhuma Junior High School (rated 8.3/10, 10.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Payne, see our Fort Payne schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Payne High School Fort Payne | 0.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Little Ridge Intermediate School Fort Payne | 0.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Wills Valley Elementary School Fort Payne | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Williams Avenue Elementary School Fort Payne | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Valley Head High School Valley Head | 5.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Ruhuma Junior High School Fort Payne | 10.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Plainview School Rainsville | 8.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Sylvania School Sylvania | 9.7 mi | 7.4 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rainsville | 9.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Henagar Junior High School Henagar | 11.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Menlo Elementary School Menlo | 11.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Ider School Ider | 15.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Rosalie Elementary School Pisgah | 15.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Fyffe High School Fyffe | 13.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Gaylesville High School Gaylesville | 16.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Pisgah High School Pisgah | 16.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Sand Rock High School Sand Rock | 18.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Lyerly Elementary School Lyerly | 15.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Dutton Elementary School Dutton | 16.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Cedar Bluff High School Cedar Bluff | 19.1 mi | 7.3 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Hartselle Intermediate School Hartselle, AL | 7.3 |
| Gulf Shores Middle School Gulf Shores, AL | 7.2 |
| Fairhope Middle School Fairhope, AL | 7.4 |
| Homewood Middle School Homewood, AL | 7.4 |
| Liberty Park Middle School Vestavia, AL | 7.4 |
| Mountain Brook Junior High School Mountain Brk, AL | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Payne Middle School
What grades does Fort Payne Middle School serve?
Fort Payne Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Fort Payne Middle School?
Fort Payne Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 756 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Payne Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fort Payne Middle School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fort Payne Middle School rank in AL?
Fort Payne Middle School is ranked #441 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Fort Payne Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fort Payne Middle School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort Payne Middle School has 32.3% math proficiency and 48.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fort Payne Middle School a charter school?
No, Fort Payne Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fort Payne Middle School a Title I school?
No, Fort Payne Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort Payne Middle School?
73.4% of students at Fort Payne 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.
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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 756
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- DeKalb County
- Phone
- (256) 845-7501
- 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
- #3 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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