James L Cowart Elementary School

James L. Cowart Elementary School serves students in kindergarten through third grade in Athens, Alabama, part of Limestone County. With an enrollment of 331 students and 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1, which allows for a reasonable degree of individual attention during these foundational early years.

Academically, Cowart shows mixed results. Reading and ELA performance is stronger, with 64% of students scoring proficient or above, while math proficiency stands at 35%, pointing to an area where the school has meaningful room for growth. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9/10 and ranks in the 17th percentile among Alabama schools, suggesting that families who prioritize academic achievement may want to explore supplemental learning support at home or through outside resources.

The surrounding 35611 ZIP code is a mid-sized community of roughly 29,000 residents. The median household income is around $54,600, with a poverty rate of 17.4% — factors that often shape the support needs of students and families in the area. About 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Cowart is situated on the fringe of an urban area, giving it a town feel while remaining connected to the broader Athens community — a setting that offers families a quieter, more neighborhood-oriented school experience.