Average
#1082 of 1,356 schools in AL
Payne Elementary School
Elementary School · Selma City
1529 N Franklin St, Selma, AL 36701
Enrollment
174
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
174
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Selma
#12 of 13
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#683 of 696
In district
#8 of 8
Selma City
About Payne Elementary School
Payne Elementary School in Selma, Alabama, is a regular public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students. With an enrollment of 174 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1, Payne Elementary provides a modest learning environment. The school is staffed by 9 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring individual attention for each student.
Payne Elementary's academic performance, as measured by MySchoolScout, currently ranks in the third percentile among Alabama schools, with a rating of 2.5 out of 10. The academic score of 1.5 out of 10 indicates areas for growth, particularly in ELA/Reading and Math, where only 17% and 2% of students, respectively, are proficient. Despite these challenges, the school is committed to fostering student development and improvement.
Located in the heart of Selma, Payne Elementary is situated in a town setting within the ZIP code 36701. The neighborhood has a median household income of $41,528 and a median home value of $108,400, with 20.8% of residents living below the poverty line. Approximately 20% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting a community focused on supporting educational needs.
Payne Elementary School is an integral part of this vibrant and supportive community in Selma.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 174 students, Payne Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Payne Elementary School — Students at Payne Elementary School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 5.6/10.
How Payne Elementary School Compares
See how Payne Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
1529 N Franklin St, Selma, AL 36701
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Payne Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southside Primary School (rated 9.2/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clark Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brantley Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Selma, see our Selma schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Selma High School Selma | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Clark Elementary School Selma | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Saints Virtual Academy Selma | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| MCRAE LEARNING CENTER Selma | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| The RBHudson STEAM Academy Selma | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Sophia P Kingston Elementary School Selma | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Edgewood Elementary School Selma | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| ELLWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Selma | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| MEADOWVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Selma | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Tipton Durant Middle School Selma | 3.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Meadowview Elementary School Selma | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Brantley Elementary School Selma | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| JOHN T MORGAN ACADEMY Selma | 3.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Southside Primary School Selma | 4.3 mi | 9.2 |
| Bruce K Craig Elementary School Selma | 4.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Valley Grande Elementary School Valley Grande | 5.8 mi | 5.6 |
| William R Martin Middle School Valley Grande | 5.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Southside High School Selma | 8.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Salem Elementary School Orrville | 14.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Keith MiddleHigh School Orrville | 15.3 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,466
Median Home Value
$111,000
Median Rent
$823/mo
Population
22,358
College Educated
20.9%
Homeownership
61.3%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
25.6%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Payne Elementary School has a median household income of $40,466. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,000, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Swift Elementary School Bon Secour, AL | 5.4 |
| Steele Elementary School Steele, AL | 5.5 |
| Meadowlane Elementary School Phenix City, AL | 5.7 |
| Macedonia School Section, AL | 5.8 |
| Donehoo Elementary School Gadsden, AL | 5.9 |
| NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Bessemer, AL | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Payne Elementary School
What grades does Payne Elementary School serve?
Payne Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Payne Elementary School?
Payne Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 174 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Payne Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Payne Elementary School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Payne Elementary School rank in AL?
Payne Elementary School is ranked #1082 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Payne Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Payne Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Payne Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Payne Elementary School has 17.3% math proficiency and 47.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Payne Elementary School a charter school?
No, Payne Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Payne Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Payne Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Payne Elementary School?
97.1% of students at Payne Elementary 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
- High (3,123/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Selma). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 174
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Dallas County
- Phone
- (334) 874-1660
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Selma City- District Enrollment
- 2,623
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,254
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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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