Best Public Schools in Marion, AL

The city of Marion, Alabama is home to two alternative schools - Francis Marion School serving grades PK-12 and Breakthrough Charter School serving grades PK-9. While both schools face challenges, there are notable differences in their student populations and academic performance.

Francis Marion School has a student body that is 99.38% African American, indicating significant racial disparities in the region. In contrast, Breakthrough Charter School has a more diverse population with 31.91% white, 59.22% African American, and 4.96% Hispanic students. Academically, Breakthrough Charter School outperforms Francis Marion School and the state averages in English and Science proficiency, particularly in grades 3-5, but both schools struggle with Mathematics proficiency.

The high free/reduced lunch rate of 89.86% at Francis Marion School suggests a high-poverty student population, which may contribute to the academic challenges faced by the school. While Francis Marion School spends $11,024 per student, which is higher than the state average, the results indicate a need for more targeted and effective interventions to address the educational needs of the community. Overall, the data highlights the complex challenges facing schools in Perry County and the Breakthrough Charter School district, particularly in addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities and improving academic outcomes across all subject areas.