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Needs Improvement

#1355 of 1,356 schools in AL

Smith Middle School

Middle School · Birmingham City

1124 Five Mile Rd, Birmingham, AL 35215

Enrollment

323

Student-Teacher

24.8:1

Score

1.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#1,355 of 1,356

In Birmingham

#58 of 58

public schools

In district

#42 of 42

Birmingham City

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Smith Middle School

1.9/10

Middle School in Birmingham · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Integrity Christian Academy

Nearby

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

Cornerstone High School

7.0/10

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

About Smith Middle School

Smith Middle School is a public middle school in Birmingham, AL, part of Birmingham City. Smith Middle School serves approximately 323 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 24.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Smith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 1.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,355 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Smith Middle School show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 1.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.6
  • AL avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

Smith Middle School runs 24.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

76% of students at Smith Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency0.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency8% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-24.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment1.2Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,201
Chronic Absenteeism76.2%

Smith Middle School — Students at Smith Middle School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.9% (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
83%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
61%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
6%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
8%
ELA
15%
2015
Math
7%
ELA
14%
2016
Math
9%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
6%
ELA
18%
2018
Math
7%
ELA
16%
2019
Math
7%
ELA
16%
2020*
Math
0.5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
0.5%
ELA
15%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Smith Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
1.9/10
0th percentile in AL
Academic
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
76.2%

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

1124 Five Mile Rd, Birmingham, AL 35215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smith Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Erwin Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Center Point), which scores notably higher. Another option is i3 Academy Phase 2 (rated 4.8/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
INTEGRITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Birmingham 0.9 mi
CORNERSTONE HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham 0.9 mi 7.0
Martha Gaskins K5 Birmingham 1.2 mi 6.7
Huffman Middle School Birmingham 1.2 mi 2.6
Huffman High SchoolMagnet Birmingham 1.0 mi 3.6
Huffman Academy Birmingham 1.3 mi 6.4
Sun Valley Elementary School Birmingham 2.0 mi 5.7
TRINITY OUTREACH MINISTRIES Birmingham 2.0 mi
Christian School Birmingham 2.2 mi 8.1
Erwin Middle School Center Point 2.4 mi 6.0
Erwin Intermediate School Center Point 2.5 mi 6.4
Center Point Elementary School Birmingham 2.7 mi 7.0
Robinson Elementary School Birmingham 2.8 mi 5.3
BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham 3.2 mi 5.0
BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham 3.2 mi 4.8
Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School Birmingham 3.2 mi 4.5
Center Point High School Center Point 3.3 mi 3.1
Chalkville Elementary School Birmingham 3.2 mi 4.0
i3 Academy Phase 2 Birmingham 3.5 mi 4.8
Barrett Elementary School Birmingham 3.8 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,854

Median Home Value

$146,900

Median Rent

$1,080/mo

Population

46,372

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

54.2%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

21.9%

Median Age

33.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
LEAD Academy Building B Montgomery, AL 2.1
Wilkerson Middle School Birmingham, AL 2.2
C J Donald Middle School Fairfield, AL 2.4
Huffman Middle School Birmingham, AL 2.6
Calloway Smith Middle School Mobile, AL 2.8
Tuskegee Public Elementary Tuskegee, AL 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smith Middle School

What grades does Smith Middle School serve?

Smith Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Smith Middle School?

Smith Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Smith Middle School is 24.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smith Middle School rank in AL?

Smith Middle School ranks #1,355 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Smith Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Smith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 1.9 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 Smith Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Smith Middle School has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Smith Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Smith Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

89.5% of students at Smith 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
19 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
14 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
76.2%

District

Birmingham City
District Enrollment
20,884
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,201
District Rank
#42 of 42

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