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Average

#844 of 1,356 schools in AL

Pickens County High School

High School · Pickens County

PO Box 1239, Reform, AL 35481

Enrollment

289

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

6.1

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Reform

#2 of 2

public schools

Alabama high schools

#73 of 308

In district

#4 of 6

Pickens County

About Pickens County High School

Pickens County High School in Reform, Alabama, serves students from fifth through twelfth grade in a rural setting. With an enrollment of 289 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, the school has 16 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.6 out of 10, placing it at the 16th percentile among Alabama schools, reflecting areas with room for academic growth.

In terms of academic performance, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 2% are proficient or above in Math. These figures suggest a need for additional support and resources to help students achieve higher proficiency levels. The school’s setting in a rural area with a median household income of $43,950 and a poverty rate of 22.5% highlights the community's focus on student development despite economic challenges.

Pickens County High School is embedded in a close-knit rural community, where neighbors and families work together to support the school and its students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Pickens County High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Pickens County High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-14.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,560

Pickens County High School — Students at Pickens County High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.3%
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
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
32%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Pickens County High School Compares

See how Pickens County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
38th percentile in AL
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

PO Box 1239, Reform, AL 35481

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pickens County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fayette County High School (rated 6.1/10, 25.2 miles away, in nearby Fayette), with a very similar rating. Another option is Gordo High School (rated 5.7/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Gordo), with a comparable rating. Additionally, NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Columbus), a more accessible option. For more schools in Reform, see our Reform schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 26.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Reform Elementary School Reform 0.7 mi 6.6
Gordo High School Gordo 7.1 mi 5.7
Gordo Elementary School Gordo 7.2 mi 8.3
PICKENS ACADEMY Carrollton 9.5 mi 5.2
South Lamar School Millport 13.0 mi 6.6
Aliceville Elementary School Aliceville 18.5 mi 6.5
Aliceville High School Aliceville 19.0 mi 4.6
Buhl Elementary School Buhl 17.3 mi 7.0
NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 18.2 mi 5.5
NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 18.4 mi 5.7
NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 18.4 mi 4.8
Sipsey Valley High School Buhl 20.5 mi 3.1
Sipsey Valley Middle School Buhl 20.7 mi 4.3
Westwood Elementary School Coker 21.0 mi 7.1
Fayette Elementary School Fayette 24.1 mi 8.5
Fayette Middle School Fayette 24.2 mi 6.4
SALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 22.5 mi 6.9
Fayette County High School Fayette 25.2 mi 6.1
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 22.7 mi 5.2
Lamar County HighIntermediate Vernon 26.5 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35481 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,276

Median Home Value

$93,400

Median Rent

$424/mo

Population

2,909

College Educated

9.4%

Homeownership

67.9%

Avg Commute

34.7 min

Poverty Rate

25.8%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pickens County High School has a median household income of $41,276. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $93,400, with a median rent of $424/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cherokee High School Cherokee, AL 6.1
Fayette County High School Fayette, AL 6.1
Hillcrest High School Evergreen, AL 6.1
Florala High School Florala, AL 6.0
Keith MiddleHigh School Orrville, AL 6.0
ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Fairhope, AL 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pickens County High School

What grades does Pickens County High School serve?

Pickens County High School serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Pickens County High School?

Pickens County High School has an enrollment of approximately 289 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pickens County High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pickens County High School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pickens County High School rank in AL?

Pickens County High School is ranked #844 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Pickens County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pickens County High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Pickens County High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pickens County High School has 5.7% math proficiency and 25.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pickens County High School a charter school?

No, Pickens County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pickens County High School a Title I school?

No, Pickens County High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pickens County High School?

71.6% of students at Pickens County High 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 (1,456/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
289
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pickens County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pickens County
District Enrollment
2,249
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,293
District Rank
#4 of 6

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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