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Below Average

#1164 of 1,356 schools in AL

South Highlands Middle School

Middle School · Bullock County

700 Bernard Street, Union Springs, AL 36089

Enrollment

383

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

4.4

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#1,164 of 1,356

In Union Springs

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Bullock County

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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South Highlands Middle School

4.4/10

Middle School in Union Springs · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bullock County High School

3.3/10

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

Union Springs Elementary School

5.7/10

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

About South Highlands Middle School

South Highlands Middle School is a public middle school in Union Springs, AL, part of Bullock County. South Highlands Middle School serves approximately 383 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. South Highlands Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,164 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for South Highlands Middle School show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts below AL schools
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • AL avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

South Highlands Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.29 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency19% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency11% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-26.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,226
Chronic Absenteeism5%

South Highlands Middle School — Students at South Highlands Middle School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 21.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.4% (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
56%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
8%
ELA
16%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
20%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
20%
2018
Math
9%
ELA
14%
2019
Math
9%
ELA
14%
2020*
Math
0.5%
ELA
13%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
13%
2022
Math
2%
ELA
19%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How South Highlands Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
14th percentile in AL
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
5.0%

Location

700 Bernard Street, Union Springs, AL 36089

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Highlands Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pike Road Intermediate School (rated 7.5/10, 24.8 miles away, in nearby Pike Road), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tuskegee Institute Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Tuskegee Institute), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Charles Henderson Middle (rated 5.2/10, 26.2 miles away, in nearby Troy), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Union Springs, see our Union Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Bullock County High School Union Springs 0.3 mi 3.3
Union Springs Elementary School Union Springs 0.9 mi 5.7
CONECUH SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Springs 1.4 mi 7.6
Booker T Washington High Tuskegee 18.5 mi 5.1
George Washington Carver Elementary School Tuskegee 19.2 mi 6.4
Tuskegee Public Elementary Tuskegee 20.0 mi 3.0
Tuskegee Institute Middle School Tuskegee Institute 20.7 mi 5.6
DC Wolfe School Shorter 21.6 mi 6.0
Banks School Banks 22.8 mi 7.6
Barbour County Primary School Clayton 23.0 mi 8.0
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Troy 24.4 mi 5.8
Pike Road Elementary School Pike Road 22.9 mi 8.7
Barbour County High School Clayton 24.3 mi 4.1
Barbour County Intermediate School Louisville 26.2 mi 5.7
Troy Elementary School Troy 25.8 mi 7.1
Charles Henderson Middle Troy 26.2 mi 5.2
Charles Henderson High School Troy 26.5 mi 4.3
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Troy 26.8 mi 5.8
Pike Road Intermediate School Pike Road 24.8 mi 7.5
Pike County Elementary School Brundidge 28.3 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36089 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$29,423

Median Home Value

$69,900

Median Rent

$631/mo

Population

7,401

College Educated

9.9%

Homeownership

57.6%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

34.5%

Median Age

41.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Douglas Middle School Douglas, AL 4.4
Evelyn D Houston Elementary School Talladega, AL 4.4
Chapman Middle School Huntsville, AL 4.5
Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School Birmingham, AL 4.5
CollinsRiverside Middle School Northport, AL 4.3
Corner Middle School Warrior, AL 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Highlands Middle School

What grades does South Highlands Middle School serve?

South Highlands Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend South Highlands Middle School?

South Highlands Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 383 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Highlands Middle School?

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

How does South Highlands Middle School rank in AL?

South Highlands Middle School ranks #1,164 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is South Highlands Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Highlands Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 South Highlands Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Highlands Middle School has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is South Highlands Middle School a charter school?

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

Is South Highlands Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

81.2% of students at South Highlands 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
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
383
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Bullock County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
5.0%

District

Bullock County
District Enrollment
1,367
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,226
District Rank
#2 of 3

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