Below Average
#1212 of 1,356 schools in AL
South Dale Middle School
Middle School · Dale County
PO Box D, Pinckard, AL 36371
Enrollment
410
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
410
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
4.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama middle schools
#217 of 262
In district
#7 of 7
Dale County
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About South Dale Middle School
South Dale Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural area near Pinckard, Alabama, in Dale County. The school serves students in grades 5 through 8, with an enrollment of 410 students. South Dale Middle School maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1, with 21 full-time equivalent teachers.
The school is part of a close-knit community where the median household income is $39,250, and the median home value is $118,900. The neighborhood has a relatively high poverty rate of 22.4%, with only 8% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher. South Dale Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10, ranking 42nd percentile among Alabama schools.
With 42% of students proficient in ELA/Reading and 23% proficient in Math, the school is focusing on student development and academic growth. South Dale Middle School is deeply rooted in its rural community, offering a supportive environment for students to thrive.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South Dale 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
View breakdown
South Dale Middle School — Students at South Dale Middle School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.3%
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: 2.8/10.
How South Dale Middle School Compares
See how South Dale Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 23% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
PO Box D, Pinckard, AL 36371
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Dale Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Newton Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harry N Mixon Intermediate School (rated 8.7/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Ozark), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wicksburg Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pinckard, see our Pinckard schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dale County High School Midland City | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Midland City Elementary School Midland City | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Newton Elementary School Newton | 3.0 mi | 9.5 |
| Kelly Springs Elementary School Dothan | 5.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Highlands Elementary School Dothan | 7.5 mi | 7.1 |
| HOUSTON ACADEMY Dothan | 7.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Wicksburg High School Newton | 8.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Wicksburg Elementary School Newton | 8.1 mi | 8.6 |
| NORTHSIDE METHODIST CHURCH & ACADEMY Dothan | 7.7 mi | 4.7 |
| WESTGATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dothan | 8.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Girard Intermediate School Dothan | 9.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Girard Primary School Dothan | 9.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Heard Elementary School Dothan | 9.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Harry N Mixon Intermediate School Ozark | 10.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Morris Slingluff Elementary School Dothan | 9.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Dothan City Early Education Center Dothan | 10.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Daleville Middle School Dalevile | 9.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Daleville High School Daleville | 9.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Carroll High School Ozark | 10.9 mi | 5.7 |
| DOTHAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Dothan | 10.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36371 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$39,000
Median Home Value
$120,400
Median Rent
$744/mo
Population
425
College Educated
4.6%
Homeownership
77.2%
Poverty Rate
25.2%
Median Age
51.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Dale Middle School has a median household income of $39,000. It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,400, with a median rent of $744/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Douglas Middle School Douglas, AL | 4.5 |
| Hale County Middle School Moundville, AL | 4.5 |
| Danville Middle School Danville, AL | 4.4 |
| Jemison Middle School Jemison, AL | 4.4 |
| Marbury Middle School Marbury, AL | 4.4 |
| New Brockton Middle School New Brockton, AL | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Dale Middle School
What grades does South Dale Middle School serve?
South Dale Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend South Dale Middle School?
South Dale Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 410 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Dale Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Dale Middle School is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Dale Middle School rank in AL?
South Dale Middle School is ranked #1212 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is South Dale Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Dale Middle School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 South Dale Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Dale Middle School has 31.0% math proficiency and 45.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Dale Middle School a charter school?
No, South Dale Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Dale Middle School a Title I school?
No, South Dale Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Dale Middle School?
78.3% of students at South Dale 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 (2,353/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pinckard). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 410
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Dale County
- Phone
- (334) 983-3077
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dale County- District Enrollment
- 3,313
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,213
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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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