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#1047 of 1,356 schools in AL

Sweet Water High School

School · Marengo County

440 Main Street, Sweet Water, AL 36782

Enrollment

568

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#71 of 90

In district

#3 of 3

Marengo County

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Sweet Water High School

Sweet Water High School serves 568 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in the rural community of Sweet Water, Alabama. With 39 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #297 out of 1,360 schools statewide, placing it in the 78th percentile among Alabama schools.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 51% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 32% of students meeting proficiency standards. Sweet Water High School operates as a comprehensive public institution, offering education from early childhood through high school graduation under one roof. This PK-12 structure creates unique opportunities for mentorship and community building across age groups, as older students can serve as role models for younger learners.

The school sits at the heart of a tight-knit rural community in Marengo County, where the median household income is $58,438 and homes average $86,700 in value. Located in Alabama's remote rural landscape, Sweet Water High School serves as an educational anchor for families throughout this close-knit agricultural region.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Sweet Water High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51%
Reading vs. State Avg-31.8 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected+0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College Readiness1.4Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,299

Sweet Water High School — Students at Sweet Water High School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.9%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
71%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
51%
2024
ELA
94.8%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Sweet Water High School Compares

See how Sweet Water High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
23th percentile in AL
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

440 Main Street, Sweet Water, AL 36782

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sweet Water High School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Marengo High School (rated 7.8/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Dixons Mills), which scores notably higher. Another option is Amelia L Johnson High School (rated 7.6/10, 18.6 miles away, in nearby Thomaston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CLARKE PREP SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 25.8 miles away, in nearby Grove Hill), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sweet Water, see our Sweet Water schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Marengo High School Dixons Mills 4.9 mi 7.8
Linden Elementary School Linden 14.9 mi 8.3
George P Austin Junior High School Linden 14.8 mi 6.4
Linden High School Linden 15.2 mi 6.3
Thomasville Elementary School Thomasville 16.2 mi 9.1
Thomasville Middle School Thomasville 16.4 mi 7.8
Thomasville High School Thomasville 16.5 mi 5.9
Amelia L Johnson High School Thomaston 18.6 mi 7.6
F S Ervin Elementary School Pine Hill 18.2 mi 8.2
PATRICIAN ACADEMY Butler 21.1 mi 4.6
Choctaw County High School Butler 21.5 mi 4.5
Choctaw County Elementary Butler 21.6 mi 7.1
CLARKE PREP SCHOOL Grove Hill 25.8 mi 6.4
Grove Hill Elementary School Grove Hill 27.2 mi 8.2
Demopolis High School Demopolis 27.4 mi 4.4
Clarke County High School Grove Hill 27.6 mi 5.7
Wilson Hall Middle School Grove Hill 27.9 mi 4.6
Westside Elementary School Demopolis 28.2 mi 8.9
Demopolis Middle School Demopolis 28.5 mi 7.2
US Jones Elementary School Demopolis 28.7 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36782 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,566

Median Home Value

$60,600

Median Rent

$914/mo

Population

1,912

College Educated

11.2%

Homeownership

89%

Avg Commute

33.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

44.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sweet Water High School has a median household income of $47,566. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $60,600, with a median rent of $914/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY Auburn, AL 5.3
Lamar County HighIntermediate Vernon, AL 5.3
Verbena High School Verbena, AL 5.3
WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rainbow City, AL 5.3
LINDSAY LANE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Athens, AL 5.2
CORNERSTONE SCHOOLS OF ALABAMA Birmingham, AL 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sweet Water High School

What grades does Sweet Water High School serve?

Sweet Water High School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Sweet Water High School?

Sweet Water High School has an enrollment of approximately 568 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sweet Water High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sweet Water High School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sweet Water High School rank in AL?

Sweet Water High School is ranked #1047 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Sweet Water High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sweet Water High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Sweet Water High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sweet Water High School has 45.3% math proficiency and 71.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sweet Water High School a charter school?

No, Sweet Water High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sweet Water High School a Title I school?

No, Sweet Water High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sweet Water High School?

58.6% of students at Sweet Water High 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
568
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Marengo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Marengo County
District Enrollment
970
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,598
District Rank
#3 of 3

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 methodology

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