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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected+0.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment6.0Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,053

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
35th percentile in AL
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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