Francis Marion School

Francis Marion School is a PK through 12th-grade regular public school located in Marion, Alabama, in the rural Perry County. With an enrollment of 464 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, the school provides a relatively personalized learning environment. Francis Marion has 26 full-time equivalent teachers, dedicated to serving the diverse needs of their students.

The school’s academic performance, as rated by MySchoolScout, currently stands at 3.0 out of 10, with the state ranking at 1273 out of 1360 schools in Alabama. Specifically, only 19% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading, and just 3% are proficient in Math, indicating areas for growth and development in academic programs. The school is situated in a remote rural area where the median household income is $37,758, and the median home value is $90,700.

The community has a poverty rate of 27.5%, with 16% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Despite the challenges, Francis Marion School strives to provide a supportive educational environment for its students, many of whom face socioeconomic barriers. Francis Marion School is deeply embedded in its rural community, offering a nurturing atmosphere for students to grow and learn in a close-knit setting.

While current test scores at Francis Marion School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Francis Marion 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.