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Excellent

#119 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 9% in state

Wacoochee Elementary School

Elementary School · Lee County

125 Lee Road 254, Salem, AL 36874

Enrollment

596

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama elementary schools

#113 of 696

In district

#5 of 14

Lee County

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Wacoochee Elementary School

Wacoochee Elementary School is a public elementary school in Salem, AL, part of the Lee County. The school serves approximately 596 students in grades Pre-K – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 91.3th percentile among AL schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 38% proficiency in math and 71% in reading/language arts, 16 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $63,211, where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Wacoochee Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.23 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Reading vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+7.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,578

Wacoochee Elementary School — Students at Wacoochee Elementary School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.5%
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
51%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
35%
ELA
57%
2024
ELA
94.7%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Wacoochee Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.5/10
91th percentile in AL
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

125 Lee Road 254, Salem, AL 36874

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wacoochee Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Beulah Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Valley), which scores slightly higher. Another option is South Smiths Station Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Smiths Station), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Jeter Primary School (rated 9.2/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Opelika), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Beulah High School Valley 8.1 mi 5.3
West Smiths Station Elementary School Smiths Station 7.3 mi 8.4
Beulah Elementary School Valley 8.3 mi 9.2
Smith Station Freshman Center Smiths Station 8.3 mi 7.3
South Smiths Station Elementary School Smiths Station 8.3 mi 9.2
Smiths Station Junior High School Smiths Station 8.4 mi 4.8
East Smiths Station Elementary School Smiths Station 8.7 mi 8.5
Jeter Primary School Opelika 8.9 mi 9.2
Southview Primary School Opelika 8.8 mi 8.0
Beauregard Elementary School Opelika 9.1 mi 7.0
Dixie Elementary School Opelika 10.6 mi 7.8
Beauregard High School Opelika 9.3 mi 5.1
Carver Primary School Opelika 9.3 mi 8.8
Smiths Station High School Smiths Station 9.8 mi 4.7
Opelika High School Opelika 9.8 mi 5.2
NEW TESTAMENT BAPTIST SCHOOL Phenix City 10.3 mi
Northside School Opelika 10.1 mi 7.6
Morris Avenue Intermediate School Opelika 10.4 mi 7.6
Opelika Middle School Opelika 10.4 mi 6.1
GLENWOOD SCHOOL Smiths Station 10.9 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36874 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,211

Median Home Value

$189,900

Median Rent

$629/mo

Population

10,329

College Educated

19.8%

Homeownership

93.9%

Avg Commute

30.6 min

Poverty Rate

10.7%

Median Age

46.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wacoochee Elementary School has a median household income of $63,211. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,900, with a median rent of $629/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Ashford Elementary School Ashford, AL 8.5
East Smiths Station Elementary School Smiths Station, AL 8.5
Fayette Elementary School Fayette, AL 8.5
Hayden Primary School Hayden, AL 8.5
Ranburne Elementary School Ranburne, AL 8.5
Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights Vestavia Hills, AL 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wacoochee Elementary School

What grades does Wacoochee Elementary School serve?

Wacoochee Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Wacoochee Elementary School?

Wacoochee Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 596 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wacoochee Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Wacoochee Elementary School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wacoochee Elementary School rank in AL?

Wacoochee Elementary School is ranked #119 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Wacoochee Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Wacoochee Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Wacoochee Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wacoochee Elementary School has 37.7% math proficiency and 70.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wacoochee Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Wacoochee Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

61.1% of students at Wacoochee 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
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (427/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
596
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Lee County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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