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Average

#745 of 1,356 schools in AL

Sanford Middle School

Middle School · Lee County

1500 Lee Road 11, Opelika, AL 36804

Enrollment

545

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

6.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#745 of 1,356

In Opelika

#9 of 12

public schools

In district

#8 of 14

Lee County

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Sanford Middle School

6.2/10

Middle School in Opelika · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Beauregard High School

5.0/10

3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Beauregard Elementary School

8.5/10

3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sanford Middle School

Sanford Middle School is a public middle school in Opelika, AL, part of Lee County. Sanford Middle School serves approximately 545 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Sanford Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #745 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Sanford Middle School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • AL avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

Sanford Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency36% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment6.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,566
Chronic Absenteeism28.4%

Sanford Middle School — Students at Sanford Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
73%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
34%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
36%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
46%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Sanford Middle School Compares

See how Sanford Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
45th percentile in AL
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
6.9/10
Average
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1500 Lee Road 11, Opelika, AL 36804

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sanford Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Drake Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Auburn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Samford School (rated 6.6/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Auburn), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Opelika, see our Opelika schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Beauregard High School Opelika 3.9 mi 5.0
Beauregard Elementary School Opelika 3.9 mi 8.5
Ogletree Elementary School Auburn 5.8 mi 9.0
Auburn Early Education Center Auburn 7.5 mi 9.1
Auburn High School Auburn 8.0 mi 7.4
Auburn Junior High School Auburn 7.9 mi 5.5
Wrights Mill Road Elementary School Auburn 7.8 mi 9.5
HOLY TRINITY DAY SCHOOL Auburn 7.9 mi
Southview Primary School Opelika 8.5 mi 8.3
Dean Road Elementary School Auburn 8.2 mi 9.4
East Samford School Auburn 8.4 mi 6.6
THE OAKS SCHOOL Opelika 9.3 mi 5.9
Carver Primary School Opelika 9.7 mi 8.6
Dixie Elementary School Opelika 8.8 mi 8.6
THE CHANTICLEER LEARNING CENTER Opelika 10.3 mi 5.3
LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY Auburn 10.3 mi 5.2
Cary Woods Elementary School Auburn 10.0 mi 9.7
West Forest Intermediate School Opelika 10.6 mi 7.8
Drake Middle School Auburn 10.1 mi 7.4
Pick Elementary School Auburn 10.6 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36804 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,842

Median Home Value

$178,100

Median Rent

$802/mo

Population

19,469

College Educated

32%

Homeownership

76.2%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

39.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Gadsden Middle School Gadsden, AL 6.2
Good Hope Middle School Cullman, AL 6.2
Opp Middle School Opp, AL 6.2
Sansom Middle School Gadsden, AL 6.2
Florence Middle School Florence, AL 6.3
Headland Middle School Headland, AL 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sanford Middle School

What grades does Sanford Middle School serve?

Sanford Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Sanford Middle School?

Sanford Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 545 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sanford Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sanford Middle School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sanford Middle School rank in AL?

Sanford Middle School ranks #745 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Sanford Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sanford Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Sanford Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sanford Middle School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Sanford Middle School a charter school?

No, Sanford Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sanford Middle School a Title I school?

No, Sanford Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sanford Middle School?

73.8% of students at Sanford Middle 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

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Lee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.4%

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