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Average

#664 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 49% in state

Zora Ellis Junior High School

Middle School · Talladega City

414 Elm St, Talladega, AL 35160

Enrollment

213

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

6.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Talladega

#2 of 7

public schools

Alabama middle schools

#48 of 262

In district

#1 of 5

Talladega City

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Zora Ellis Junior High School

Zora Ellis Junior High School is a public middle school located in Talladega, Alabama, serving seventh and eighth graders. With an enrollment of 213 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1, the school has 13 full-time equivalent teachers to support its students. Zora Ellis Junior High School is situated in a town setting, offering a community atmosphere where students can engage in a variety of activities.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 reflects areas for improvement in academic performance, as the state ranking of #977 out of 1360 schools in Alabama (28th percentile) indicates. Academically, the school has 33% proficiency in ELA/Reading and only 6% proficiency in Math, showing that there is room for academic growth and development. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to the education and development of its students.

The neighborhood around Zora Ellis Junior High School has a median household income of $44,852 and a median home value of $124,300, with 20.5% of residents living below the poverty line. About 15% of the population in the ZIP code of 35160 have a bachelor's degree or higher. Zora Ellis Junior High School is nestled within a community that values education and strives to provide its young people with the tools they need to succeed.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected+1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,644

Zora Ellis Junior High School — Students at Zora Ellis Junior High School score 20% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 8.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
18%
ELA
26%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
33%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Zora Ellis Junior High School Compares

See how Zora Ellis Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
51th percentile in AL
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

414 Elm St, Talladega, AL 35160

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Zora Ellis Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Evelyn D Houston Elementary School (rated 5.7/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Williams Intermediate School (rated 5.4/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Pell City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Charles R Drew Middle School (rated 5.1/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Lincoln), a more accessible option. For more schools in Talladega, see our Talladega schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.7 mi
School Distance Rating
ASCENSION LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PRESBYTERIAN HOME Talladega 0.5 mi 7.0
Evelyn D Houston Elementary School Talladega 1.0 mi 5.7
Talladega High School Talladega 1.1 mi 4.9
C L Salter Elementary School Talladega 1.7 mi 6.1
Raymond L Young Elementary School Talladega 2.0 mi 6.3
Talladega County Central High Talladega 5.6 mi 4.4
Stemley Road Elementary School Talladega 5.9 mi 8.1
Winterboro High School Alpine 9.9 mi 6.7
Sycamore School Alpine 9.9 mi 8.3
Munford Middle School Munford 10.5 mi 4.8
Munford High School Munford 10.5 mi 6.4
Munford Elementary School Munford 10.7 mi 7.7
Lincoln High School Lincoln 14.0 mi 5.3
Lincoln Elementary School Lincoln 14.1 mi 7.9
Charles R Drew Middle School Lincoln 14.1 mi 5.1
Williams Intermediate School Pell City 13.3 mi 5.4
Coosa Valley Elementary School Cropwell 13.3 mi 8.2
Walter M Kennedy School Pell City 13.7 mi 7.4
Coldwater Elementary School Anniston 14.8 mi 8.7
Iola Roberts Elementary School Pell City 15.7 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35160 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,007

Median Home Value

$129,300

Median Rent

$772/mo

Population

26,177

College Educated

15.6%

Homeownership

66.9%

Avg Commute

25.8 min

Poverty Rate

17.8%

Median Age

44.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Zora Ellis Junior High School has a median household income of $50,007. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $129,300, with a median rent of $772/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.8%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Bankhead Middle School Cordova, AL 6.9
Chickasaw Middle School Chickasaw, AL 6.5
Hayneville Middle School Hayneville, AL 6.5
WE Putnam Middle SchoolMagnet Irondale, AL 6.5
Geneva County Middle School Hartford, AL 6.4
Litchfield Middle School Gadsden, AL 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Zora Ellis Junior High School

What grades does Zora Ellis Junior High School serve?

Zora Ellis Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Zora Ellis Junior High School?

Zora Ellis Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 213 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Zora Ellis Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Zora Ellis Junior High School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Zora Ellis Junior High School rank in AL?

Zora Ellis Junior High School is ranked #664 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Zora Ellis Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Zora Ellis Junior High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Zora Ellis Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Zora Ellis Junior High School has 8.7% math proficiency and 27.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Zora Ellis Junior High School a charter school?

No, Zora Ellis Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Zora Ellis Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Zora Ellis Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Zora Ellis Junior High School?

90.6% of students at Zora Ellis Junior 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 →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,996/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Talladega). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
213
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Talladega County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Talladega City
District Enrollment
1,544
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,560
District Rank
#1 of 5

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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