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Average

#780 of 1,356 schools in AL

Based on limited data

Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute

Elementary School · LIFE Academy

2080 W Fairview Ave, Montgomery, AL 36108

Charter

Enrollment

528

Student-Teacher

31.1:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Montgomery

#21 of 52

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#600 of 696

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute

LIFE Academy at Historic St. Jude Educational Institute is a public charter elementary school serving kindergarten through sixth grade in Montgomery, Alabama. With 528 students enrolled, the school has a student-teacher ratio of 31.1 to 1, which is notably higher than typical elementary averages, meaning classrooms tend to be busy and teachers carry a significant load across the school's 17 full-time staff.

Academically, the school shows genuine strengths in ELA and reading, with 70% of students scoring proficient or above — a meaningful result that suggests the school is making real headway in foundational literacy skills. Its academic score of 9.6 out of 10 reflects solid instructional performance, even as its overall MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of 819th out of 1,330 Alabama schools point to areas where continued growth is possible. The school sits on West Fairview Avenue in a mid-size city setting, drawing from a neighborhood where the median household income is around $32,600 and the poverty rate reaches 35%.

These community circumstances give important context to the school's work — educators here are supporting families navigating real economic challenges, and the school's literacy results speak to a committed effort in that environment. For families in the 36108 area looking for a public charter option in the early grades, LIFE Academy occupies a meaningful place in this Montgomery community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute is 31.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics9.6Exceptional60%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Reading/ELA Proficiency70.5%
Reading vs. State Avg-12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+26.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.3Significantly Below Average40%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio31.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,971

Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute — Students at Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency N/A
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.5%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 2 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

How Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute Compares

See how Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
43th percentile in AL
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Environment
1.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
31:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

2080 W Fairview Ave, Montgomery, AL 36108

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest Avenue Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morris Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Carver Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Montgomery, see our Montgomery schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Carver Senior High School Montgomery 0.3 mi 4.1
Carver Elementary School Montgomery 0.4 mi 6.6
McIntyre Comprehensive Academy Montgomery 0.6 mi 7.2
AL NOOR ACADEMY - SHARON Montgomery 0.7 mi 6.1
Morris Elementary School Montgomery 1.0 mi 6.7
Davis Elementary School Montgomery 1.1 mi 5.9
Nixon Elementary School Montgomery 1.1 mi 5.5
Lanier Senior High School Montgomery 1.1 mi 6.8
Bellingrath Middle School Montgomery 1.1 mi 4.1
HOLT STREET CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Montgomery 1.1 mi 2.5
MONTGOMERY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Montgomery 1.5 mi 5.8
MONTESSORI ACADEMY Montgomery 1.7 mi
Baldwin Art And Academics Magnet Montgomery 2.0 mi 5.6
Floyd Middle School Montgomery 2.0 mi 3.3
FIRST SCHOOL Montgomery 2.1 mi
Forest Avenue Elementary School Montgomery 2.5 mi 7.4
BETHANY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Montgomery 2.9 mi
BETHANY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Montgomery 2.9 mi
Highland Avenue Elementary School Montgomery 3.1 mi 5.1
Southlawn Elementary School Montgomery 3.6 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36108 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$32,622

Median Home Value

$73,700

Median Rent

$786/mo

Population

15,549

College Educated

14%

Homeownership

62.5%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

35.1%

Median Age

43

Community Profile

The community surrounding Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute has a median household income of $32,622. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $73,700, with a median rent of $786/month. The area has a poverty rate of 35.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Brighton School Brighton, AL 6.3
Hampton Cove Elementary Hampton Cove, AL 6.3
Kate Shepard Elementary School Mobile, AL 6.3
McDonnell Elementary School Huntsville, AL 6.3
Pleasant Grove Elementary School Pleasant Grove, AL 6.3
Randolph Park Elementary School Anniston, AL 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute

What grades does Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute serve?

Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute?

Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute has an enrollment of approximately 528 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute?

The student-teacher ratio at Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute is 31.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute rank in AL?

Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute is ranked #780 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute's MySchoolScout rating?

Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute has 70.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute a charter school?

Yes, Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute a Title I school?

No, Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute?

54.2% of students at Life Academy at Historic St Jude Educational Institute 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
High (2,830/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Montgomery). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
528
Student-Teacher Ratio
31.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Montgomery County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

LIFE Academy
District Enrollment
528
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,233
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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