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Excellent

#204 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 15% in state

Sugar Creek Elementary School

Elementary School · Limestone County

26595 Salem Minor Hill Road, Lester, AL 35647

Enrollment

625

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#204 of 1,356

In Lester

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 16

Limestone County

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Sugar Creek Elementary School

8.5/10

Elementary School in Lester · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Limestone High School

4.8/10

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

Alabama Connections Academy

4.8/10

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

About Sugar Creek Elementary School

Sugar Creek Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lester, AL, part of Limestone County. Sugar Creek Elementary School serves approximately 625 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Sugar Creek Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #204 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Sugar Creek Elementary School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.0
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

Sugar Creek Elementary 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 Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84.4% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg+1.6 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+19.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,240
Chronic Absenteeism19.5%

Sugar Creek Elementary School — Students at Sugar Creek Elementary School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
75%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
26%
2015
Math
49%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
33%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
34%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
58%
2024
ELA
84.4%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Sugar Creek Elementary School Compares

See how Sugar Creek Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.5/10
85th percentile in AL
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

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

26595 Salem Minor Hill Road, Lester, AL 35647

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sugar Creek Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Minor Hill School (rated 9.1/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Minor Hill), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Athens Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Athens), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Brookhill Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Athens), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lester, see our Lester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.1 mi
School Distance Rating
West Limestone High School Lester 0.5 mi 4.8
Alabama Connections Academy Athens 7.3 mi 4.8
Minor Hill School Minor Hill 8.0 mi 9.1
Elkmont High School Elkmont 8.3 mi 4.7
Elkmont Elementary School Elkmont 8.4 mi 8.2
Blue Springs Elementary School Athens 10.3 mi 7.5
Clements High School Athens 10.5 mi 4.3
THE PINNACLE SCHOOLS - ELK RIVER TREATMENT PROGRAM Elkmont 9.8 mi
James L Cowart Elementary School Athens 11.9 mi 7.0
Athens Intermediate School Athens 12.4 mi 5.8
Athens Elementary School Athens 12.3 mi 8.4
Piney Chapel Elementary School Athens 12.0 mi 8.2
Athens Renaissance School Athens 13.1 mi 6.0
Lauderdale County High School Rogersville 12.7 mi 5.1
Lauderdale Elementary School Rogersville 12.7 mi 7.7
Julian Newman Elementary School Athens 13.2 mi 8.3
Athens High School Athens 13.1 mi 4.8
ATHENS BIBLE SCHOOL Athens 13.2 mi 6.6
Athens Middle School Athens 13.5 mi 5.4
Brookhill Elementary School Athens 14.1 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35647 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$114,318

Median Home Value

$241,400

Population

1,031

College Educated

36.1%

Homeownership

97%

Poverty Rate

5.8%

Median Age

34.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Asbury Elementary School Albertville, AL 8.5
Beauregard Elementary School Opelika, AL 8.5
East Smiths Station Elementary School Smiths Station, AL 8.5
Lexington Elementary School Lexington, AL 8.5
Loxley Elementary School Loxley, AL 8.5
Moody Elementary School Moody, AL 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sugar Creek Elementary School

What grades does Sugar Creek Elementary School serve?

Sugar Creek Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Sugar Creek Elementary School?

Sugar Creek Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 625 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sugar Creek Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sugar Creek Elementary School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sugar Creek Elementary School rank in AL?

Sugar Creek Elementary School ranks #204 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Sugar Creek Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sugar Creek Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Sugar Creek Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sugar Creek Elementary School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Sugar Creek Elementary School a charter school?

No, Sugar Creek Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sugar Creek Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Sugar Creek Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sugar Creek Elementary School?

68.2% of students at Sugar Creek Elementary 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Limestone County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.5%

District

Limestone County
District Enrollment
15,893
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,240
District Rank
#1 of 16

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