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Average

#835 of 1,356 schools in AL

Piney Chapel Elementary School

Elementary School · Limestone County

20835 Elkton Rd, Athens, AL 35614

Enrollment

197

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Athens

#7 of 14

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#625 of 696

In district

#8 of 16

Limestone County

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Piney Chapel Elementary School

Piney Chapel Elementary School serves 197 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Athens, Alabama. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 15.2-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #293 out of 1,360 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 52% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an opportunity for growth, with 32% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. Piney Chapel Elementary draws families from the surrounding 35614 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $56,415 and median home values average $170,900.

The community of approximately 6,750 residents reflects a mix of educational backgrounds, with 19% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.5% of families navigate economic challenges. Located on Elkton Road, Piney Chapel Elementary sits in a rural setting near the town of Athens, offering students a close-knit school environment where they can build strong relationships with teachers and classmates while being part of the broader Limestone County community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 197 students, Piney Chapel 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.

Located in a rural area, Piney Chapel Elementary 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 Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Reading vs. State Avg-30.8 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+14.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,021

Piney Chapel Elementary School — Students at Piney Chapel Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 64.0%
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
62%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2024
ELA
79.5%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Piney Chapel Elementary School Compares

See how Piney Chapel Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
39th percentile in AL
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

20835 Elkton Rd, Athens, AL 35614

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Piney Chapel Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Athens Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brookhill Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 5.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Creekside Primary School (rated 7.8/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Harvest), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Athens, see our Athens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.0 mi
School Distance Rating
ATHENS BIBLE SCHOOL Athens 3.1 mi 6.6
Athens High School Athens 3.2 mi 4.7
Athens Middle School Athens 3.8 mi 4.9
Athens Elementary School Athens 4.0 mi 8.6
Athens Renaissance School Athens 4.3 mi 4.2
LINDSAY LANE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Athens 4.7 mi 5.2
Julian Newman Elementary School Athens 4.6 mi 7.4
James L Cowart Elementary School Athens 4.9 mi 4.3
Brookhill Elementary School Athens 5.4 mi 8.6
Elkmont Elementary School Elkmont 5.5 mi 7.0
Elkmont High School Elkmont 5.6 mi 4.6
Athens Intermediate School Athens 5.6 mi 6.9
Johnson Elementary School Athens 5.4 mi 7.4
Alabama Connections Academy Athens 6.4 mi 3.6
East Limestone High School Athens 7.6 mi 5.2
Tanner Elementary School Tanner 8.8 mi 5.5
Tanner High School Tanner 8.8 mi 5.1
THE PINNACLE SCHOOLS - ELK RIVER TREATMENT PROGRAM Elkmont 9.1 mi
Creekside Primary School Harvest 8.9 mi 7.8
Creekside Elementary School Harvest 9.0 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35614 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,296

Median Home Value

$178,200

Median Rent

$1,022/mo

Population

7,157

College Educated

21.4%

Homeownership

75.2%

Avg Commute

31.6 min

Poverty Rate

18.1%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Piney Chapel Elementary School has a median household income of $57,296. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,200, with a median rent of $1,022/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.1%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Central Elementary School Hayneville, AL 6.1
Duck Springs Elementary School Attalla, AL 6.1
NORTH MOBILE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Saraland, AL 6.1
Welti Elementary School Cullman, AL 6.1
Bruce K Craig Elementary School Selma, AL 6.0
Hazlewood Elementary School Town Creek, AL 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Piney Chapel Elementary School

What grades does Piney Chapel Elementary School serve?

Piney Chapel Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Piney Chapel Elementary School?

Piney Chapel Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 197 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Piney Chapel Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Piney Chapel Elementary School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Piney Chapel Elementary School rank in AL?

Piney Chapel Elementary School is ranked #835 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Piney Chapel Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Piney Chapel Elementary 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 Piney Chapel Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Piney Chapel Elementary School has 40.3% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Piney Chapel Elementary School a charter school?

No, Piney Chapel Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Piney Chapel Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Piney Chapel Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Piney Chapel Elementary School?

77.2% of students at Piney Chapel 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 (2,316/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Limestone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Limestone County
District Enrollment
15,893
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,240
District Rank
#8 of 16

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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