Average
#919 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
5.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
545
Student-Teacher
16.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Opelika
#10 of 12
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#103 of 262
In district
#10 of 14
Lee County
Academic performance
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Sanford Middle School
Sanford Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Opelika, Alabama, in a rural area near the town. Serving grades 5 through 8, the school has an enrollment of 545 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, with 33 full-time equivalent teachers. Sanford Middle School's MySchoolScout rating is 6.2 out of 10, placing it in the 63rd percentile among Alabama schools, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve academic performance.
In terms of test scores, 46% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 26% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth. The school's setting in a rural area adds a unique character to its community, with a median household income of $54,504 and a median home value of $138,000.
Approximately 29% of the population in the neighborhood has a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 15.8%. Sanford Middle School is situated in a close-knit community that values education and supports the school's efforts to enhance student learning and achievement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Sanford Middle 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Sanford Middle School — Students at Sanford Middle School score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.5/10.
How Sanford Middle School Compares
See how Sanford Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 26% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 46% (2022).
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 6.0/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Auburn), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Samford School (rated 5.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Auburn), with a comparable rating. 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 | 5.1 |
| Beauregard Elementary School Opelika | 3.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Ogletree Elementary School Auburn | 5.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Auburn Early Education Center Auburn | 7.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Auburn High School Auburn | 8.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Auburn Junior High School Auburn | 7.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Wrights Mill Road Elementary School Auburn | 7.8 mi | 8.7 |
| HOLY TRINITY DAY SCHOOL Auburn | 7.9 mi | — |
| Southview Primary School Opelika | 8.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Dean Road Elementary School Auburn | 8.2 mi | 8.1 |
| East Samford School Auburn | 8.4 mi | 5.0 |
| THE OAKS SCHOOL Opelika | 9.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Carver Primary School Opelika | 9.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Dixie Elementary School Opelika | 8.8 mi | 7.8 |
| THE CHANTICLEER LEARNING CENTER Opelika | 10.3 mi | 5.3 |
| LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY Auburn | 10.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Cary Woods Elementary School Auburn | 10.0 mi | 9.1 |
| West Forest Intermediate School Opelika | 10.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Drake Middle School Auburn | 10.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Pick Elementary School Auburn | 10.6 mi | 8.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sanford Middle School has a median household income of $57,842. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,100, with a median rent of $802/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Bay Minette Middle School Bay Minette, AL | 5.8 |
| Burns Middle School Mobile, AL | 5.8 |
| Jones Valley Middle School Birmingham, AL | 5.8 |
| Sansom Middle School Gadsden, AL | 5.8 |
| West Blocton Middle School West Blocton, AL | 5.8 |
| Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa, AL | 5.8 |
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 is ranked #919 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Sanford Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sanford Middle School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Sanford Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sanford Middle School has 36.0% math proficiency and 46.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,190/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Opelika). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (334) 705-6040
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lee County- District Enrollment
- 9,141
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,566
- District Rank
- #10 of 14
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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