Summary:
The Shelby County elementary school district in Alabama consists of 15 schools serving grades pre-K through 5th. These schools vary significantly in their academic performance, student demographics, and funding levels, with some standout institutions like Mt Laurel Elementary School consistently ranking among the top elementary schools in the state, while others struggle with low proficiency rates and high poverty levels.
At the high end, Oak Mountain Intermediate School and Mt Laurel Elementary boast exceptional test scores, with 67-88% of students proficient in core subjects. These schools serve more affluent populations, with free/reduced lunch rates under 20%. In contrast, Montevallo Elementary and Calera Elementary have proficiency rates 20-30 percentage points below the Shelby County average, likely due to their higher poverty levels of over 70% free/reduced lunch.
Spending per student varies widely, from $8,594 at Helena Intermediate to $17,161 at Shelby Elementary, but this does not appear to directly correlate with academic outcomes. The data suggests that factors beyond just funding, such as student socioeconomic status, play a key role in determining school quality and student achievement across the Shelby County elementary school district.
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