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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Reading vs. State Avg-65.8 pts
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)13%
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.2Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,289

Payne Elementary School — Students at Payne Elementary School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.4%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2024
ELA
85.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.2/10
20th percentile in AL
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Selma City
District Enrollment
2,623
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,254
District Rank
#8 of 8

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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