Average
#878 of 1,356 schools in AL
John P Powell Middle School
Middle School · Chambers County
300 Ave A SE, Lafayette, AL 36862
Enrollment
144
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
144
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lafayette
#3 of 3
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#93 of 262
In district
#6 of 9
Chambers County
About John P Powell Middle School
John P Powell Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural area of Lafayette, Alabama, in Chambers County. The school serves students in grades 6 through 8, with an enrollment of 144 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. Teachers at John P Powell Middle School work to provide a supportive learning environment with a focus on student development.
According to MySchoolScout, the school has a rating of 3.4 out of 10, ranking it in the 13th percentile among Alabama schools. The academic score is 2.4 out of 10, with 27% of students meeting proficiency standards in ELA/Reading and only 2% in Math. Despite these challenges, the school continues to strive for improvement and academic growth.
The school is situated in a community where the median household income is $44,014 and the median home value is $139,400. Around 13% of the population in the 36862 ZIP code have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 13.3%. John P Powell Middle School is an integral part of this rural community, providing educational opportunities for students in a supportive and nurturing setting.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 144 students, John P Powell Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, John P Powell Middle 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
John P Powell Middle School — Students at John P Powell Middle School score 15% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.1%
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: 6.6/10.
How John P Powell Middle School Compares
See how John P Powell Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
300 Ave A SE, Lafayette, AL 36862
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John P Powell Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Opelika Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Opelika), with a very similar rating. Another option is W F Burns Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Valley), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lanett Junior High School (rated 2.7/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Lanett), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lafayette, see our Lafayette schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Eastside Elementary School Lafayette | 0.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Lafayette High School Lafayette | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Inspire Virtual Academy Lafayette | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| CHAMBERS ACADEMY Lafayette | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Huguley Elementary School Lanett | 10.5 mi | 8.0 |
| SPRINGWOOD SCHOOL Lanett | 10.8 mi | 7.0 |
| W O Lance Elementary Lanett | 11.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Lanett Senior High School Lanett | 11.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Lanett Junior High School Lanett | 11.8 mi | 2.7 |
| ACTS ACADEMY Valley | 12.9 mi | — |
| Bob HardingShawmut Elementary Valley | 12.8 mi | 8.9 |
| W F Burns Middle School Valley | 13.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Morris Avenue Intermediate School Opelika | 15.0 mi | 7.6 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Roanoke | 15.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Opelika High School Opelika | 15.9 mi | 5.2 |
| West Point Elementary School West Point | 13.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Fairfax Elementary School Valley | 14.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Valley High School Valley | 14.0 mi | 5.6 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Valley | 14.1 mi | — |
| Opelika Middle School Opelika | 16.5 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36862 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$39,510
Median Home Value
$138,800
Median Rent
$642/mo
Population
6,052
College Educated
14.5%
Homeownership
72.2%
Avg Commute
33.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
51.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding John P Powell Middle School has a median household income of $39,510. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,800, with a median rent of $642/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Lowndes County Middle School Fort Deposit, AL | 5.9 |
| Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle Tuscaloosa, AL | 6.0 |
| Geneva County Middle School Hartford, AL | 6.4 |
| Chickasaw Middle School Chickasaw, AL | 6.5 |
| Hayneville Middle School Hayneville, AL | 6.5 |
| WE Putnam Middle SchoolMagnet Irondale, AL | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John P Powell Middle School
What grades does John P Powell Middle School serve?
John P Powell Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend John P Powell Middle School?
John P Powell Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 144 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John P Powell Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at John P Powell Middle School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John P Powell Middle School rank in AL?
John P Powell Middle School is ranked #878 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is John P Powell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
John P Powell Middle School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 John P Powell Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John P Powell Middle School has 7.3% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is John P Powell Middle School a charter school?
No, John P Powell Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John P Powell Middle School a Title I school?
No, John P Powell Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John P Powell Middle School?
95.1% of students at John P Powell 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,226/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lafayette). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 144
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Chambers County
- Phone
- (334) 864-8274
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chambers County- District Enrollment
- 3,123
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,105
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
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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