South Highlands Middle School

South Highlands Middle School is a regular public middle school in Union Springs, Alabama, nestled in the rural setting of Bullock County. The school serves students from fifth through eighth grade, with an enrollment of 383 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. South Highlands Middle School has 24 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a supportive learning environment.

The school's academic performance shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1157 out of 1360 schools in Alabama. On standardized tests, the proficiency rates are 19% in ELA/Reading and 2% in Math, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development. South Highlands Middle School is located in a community with a median household income of $29,275 and a median home value of $88,900.

The neighborhood has a college education rate of 10% and a poverty rate of 38.1%, reflecting a community that faces various challenges but is committed to supporting its students. South Highlands Middle School is a part of this close-knit rural community, where neighbors often know each other well and come together to support the school.

While current test scores at South Highlands Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, South Highlands 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.