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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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,578

Sanford Middle School — Students at Sanford Middle School score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

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 36.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
55%
ELA
47%
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: 3.5/10.

How Sanford Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
32th percentile in AL
Academic
7.4/10
7.4/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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