Alabama Connections Academy

Summary:

Alabama Connections Academy is a public virtual school serving grades K-12 in Athens, Alabama, which is part of the Limestone County school district. The school has a diverse student population, with around 60% White, 30% African American, and smaller percentages of other racial groups.

While Alabama Connections Academy is an alternative option for families, the school has consistently underperformed the Limestone County and state averages on standardized tests, with proficiency rates that lag significantly behind. For example, the school's 11th-grade math proficiency is just 10.21%, compared to 13.71% for Limestone County and 23.12% for the state. Additionally, the school serves a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with 65.13% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2022-2023 school year. The lack of transparency in reporting student-teacher ratios makes it difficult to fully evaluate the learning environment and resources available to students.

Interestingly, the nearby Athens Renaissance School, another public virtual school, outperforms Alabama Connections Academy on most test score metrics, suggesting that the virtual school model can be effective when implemented well. The declining test scores at Alabama Connections Academy over the past three years are concerning and warrant further investigation into the factors contributing to this trend.


Detail:

Public, Virtual, Alternative K-12

 21465 AL Hwy 99
       Athens, AL  35614


(256) 233-6463

District: Limestone County

SchoolDigger Rank:
630th of 684 Alabama Alternative Schools


Student/teacher ratio:  953.0 Help
Number of students:  7,063

Racial breakdown:

White:
59.3%
African American:
29.8%
Hispanic:
5.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  65.1% Help


 See top rated Alabama elementary schools

 Compare Alabama Connections Academy to nearby alternative schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Alabama Connections Academy ranks worse than 92.1% of elementary schools in Alabama. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.04. (See more...)
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Compare Details Alabama Connections Academy ranks worse than 80.1% of middle schools in Alabama. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 21.08. (See more...)
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Compare Details Alabama Connections Academy ranks worse than 55.8% of high schools in Alabama. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 43.04. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Alabama Connections Academy freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (59.3%), African American (29.8%), Hispanic (5.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 65.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Alabama Connections Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Alabama Connections Academy 630th of 684 Alabama public elementary schools. (See Alabama Connections Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Alabama Connections Academy 354th of 442 Alabama public middle schools. (See Alabama Connections Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
Native American students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Alabama Connections Academy 211th of 378 Alabama public high schools. (See Alabama Connections Academy in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
Native American students:
White students:


Limestone County:

SchoolDigger ranks Limestone County 82nd of 137 Alabama school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Alabama Connections Academy

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 41.97 420th 681 38.3%
2021 59.13 265th 692 61.7%
2022 25.10 513th 687 25.3%
2023 17.74 552nd 680 18.8%
2024 11.04 630th 684 7.9%
See the entire list of Alabama Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Multi-racial students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 12.08 59th 64 7.8%
2023 17.15 65th 70 7.1%
2024 6.42 80th 82 2.4%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 25.80 321st 392 18.1%
2021 41.56 208th 398 47.7%
2022 41.51 187th 345 45.8%
2023 35.79 248th 373 33.5%
2024 25.61 312th 395 21.0%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 44.86 375th 649 42.2%
2021 56.36 280th 653 57.1%
2022 23.66 517th 651 20.6%
2023 14.99 567th 623 9.0%
2024 8.63 651st 670 2.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 41.01 417th 646 35.4%
2021 52.37 311th 656 52.6%
2022 25.67 488th 656 25.6%
2023 19.76 525th 645 18.6%
2024 12.96 591st 650 9.1%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 44.07 386th 650 40.6%
2021 63.19 223rd 669 66.7%
2022 24.83 504th 669 24.7%
2023 16.51 539th 649 16.9%
2024 10.26 614th 655 6.3%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 39.20 255th 426 40.1%
2021 61.20 127th 426 70.2%
2022 30.32 306th 426 28.2%
2023 19.94 379th 427 11.2%
2024 15.03 404th 420 3.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 70.49 31st 164 81.1%
2022 45.89 98th 175 44.0%
2023 30.87 136th 184 26.1%
2024 20.36 178th 196 9.2%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for elementary school Native American students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 67.52 12th 65 81.5%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 36.67 360th 529 31.9%
2021 48.39 257th 539 52.3%
2022 16.48 495th 540 8.3%
2023 10.77 500th 528 5.3%
2024 5.54 521st 535 2.6%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alabama State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Alabama Connections Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 45.04 253rd 437 42.1%
2021 50.90 203rd 440 53.9%
2022 35.43 289th 432 33.1%
2023 28.33 328th 437 24.9%
2024 21.08 354th 442 19.9%
See the entire list of Alabama Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Multi-racial students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 18.36 44th 46 4.3%
2022 30.73 45th 60 25.0%
2023 30.38 50th 72 30.6%
2024 12.73 75th 78 3.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 40.58 144th 254 43.3%
2021 57.45 72nd 274 73.7%
2022 49.44 100th 256 60.9%
2023 44.12 124th 281 55.9%
2024 38.80 157th 281 44.1%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 49.96 199th 396 49.7%
2021 52.18 186th 415 55.2%
2022 33.67 297th 421 29.5%
2023 26.37 321st 410 21.7%
2024 19.27 367th 437 16.0%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 40.49 259th 399 35.1%
2021 44.31 229th 415 44.8%
2022 35.67 277th 423 34.5%
2023 27.49 318th 417 23.7%
2024 20.68 345th 426 19.0%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 48.69 212th 399 46.9%
2021 55.62 159th 418 62.0%
2022 33.91 290th 427 32.1%
2023 29.40 311th 419 25.8%
2024 21.81 343rd 428 19.9%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 50.61 104th 252 58.7%
2021 43.56 118th 266 55.6%
2022 38.29 154th 271 43.2%
2023 31.38 184th 263 30.0%
2024 25.02 221st 269 17.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 81.14 12th 124 90.3%
2021 65.27 37th 154 76.0%
2022 47.93 79th 157 49.7%
2023 29.41 113th 166 31.9%
2024 33.79 107th 164 34.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for middle school Native American students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 50.27 29th 65 55.4%
2023 54.62 24th 61 60.7%
2024 24.15 53rd 69 23.2%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 34.58 230th 343 32.9%
2021 49.60 158th 369 57.2%
2022 28.87 275th 376 26.9%
2023 21.06 324th 370 12.4%
2024 15.14 340th 373 8.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alabama State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Alabama Connections Academy

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Rank History for all high school students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 51.81 186th 366 49.2%
2021 47.57 175th 371 52.8%
2022 57.35 128th 367 65.1%
2023 28.58 262nd 371 29.4%
2024 43.04 211th 378 44.2%
See the entire list of Alabama Alternative School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Multi-racial students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 74.15 12th 37 67.6%
2021 37.83 26th 43 39.5%
2022 38.39 26th 40 35.0%
2023 18.31 39th 45 13.3%
2024 38.34 33rd 56 41.1%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for high school Special Education students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 28.29 131st 171 23.4%
2021 31.29 138th 196 29.6%
2022 63.64 50th 169 70.4%
2023 72.76 31st 182 83.0%
2024 56.01 62nd 198 68.7%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 38.22 221st 358 38.3%
2021 55.04 141st 361 60.9%
2022 65.59 93rd 361 74.2%
2023 32.13 230th 349 34.1%
2024 51.91 153rd 375 59.2%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 45.27 207th 354 41.5%
2021 43.21 197th 359 45.1%
2022 48.13 174th 367 52.6%
2023 21.93 280th 358 21.8%
2024 39.99 210th 366 42.6%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 54.02 167th 357 53.2%
2021 47.40 175th 366 52.2%
2022 67.06 97th 366 73.5%
2023 40.78 193rd 358 46.1%
2024 44.58 198th 368 46.2%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school African American students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 54.49 85th 224 62.1%
2021 33.53 155th 228 32.0%
2022 63.84 45th 222 79.7%
2023 36.38 135th 224 39.7%
2024 55.73 73rd 231 68.4%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for high school Hispanic students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 41.64 52nd 103 49.5%
2021 56.81 36th 113 68.1%
2022 75.39 24th 114 78.9%
2023 44.48 59th 122 51.6%
2024 38.73 74th 139 46.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for high school Native American students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 45.28 19th 40 52.5%
2024 28.37 41st 55 25.5%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for Native American Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Alabama Connections Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 32.89 212th 313 32.3%
2021 36.26 198th 319 37.9%
2022 47.75 146th 326 55.2%
2023 19.77 262nd 317 17.4%
2024 30.61 226th 325 30.5%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Alternative Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alabama State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Alabama Connections Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: Alabama State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Alabama Connections Academy

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2018 624 215 5 60 7 0 42 0 953
2019 1374 399 14 130 19 3 79 0 2018
2020 1632 531 22 151 33 6 103 0 2478
2021 2872 1319 42 287 62 7 138 0 4727
2022 3844 2217 86 382 100 13 137 55 6834
2023 4187 2107 56 409 74 4 226 0 7063

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Alabama Connections Academy

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2018 953 1.0 953.0 61
2019 2018 n/a n/a 59.8
2020 2478 n/a n/a 54.5
2021 4727 n/a n/a 51.5
2022 6834 n/a n/a 54.3
2023 7063 n/a n/a 65.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Alabama Connections Academy

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2018 953 1.0 953.0 61
2019 2018 n/a n/a 59.8
2020 2478 n/a n/a 54.5
2021 4727 n/a n/a 51.5
2022 6834 n/a n/a 54.3
2023 7063 n/a n/a 65.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Alabama Connections Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 420th of 681 Elementary schoolsRanks 552nd of 680 Elementary schools
 19.5%
Ranks 253rd of 437 Middle schoolsRanks 328th of 437 Middle schools
 17.2%
Ranks 186th of 366 High schoolsRanks 262nd of 371 High schools
 19.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Alabama Connections Academy)29.113
 16.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Limestone County)5934.7
 24.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Alabama)57.543.6
 13.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Alabama Connections Academy)30.99.1
 21.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Limestone County)54.236.7
 17.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)47.334.9
 12.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Alabama Connections Academy)33.67.7
 25.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Limestone County)45.727.6
 18.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)44.933.9
 10.9%
6th Grade Mathematics (Alabama Connections Academy)29.17.6
 21.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Limestone County)41.718.9
 22.7%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)45.330.8
 14.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Alabama Connections Academy)23.98.3
 15.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Limestone County)35.512.5
 23%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)43.121
 22.1%
8th Grade Mathematics (Alabama Connections Academy)243.6
 20.4%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Limestone County)35.810.2
 25.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)44.721.1
 23.6%
End of Course Mathematics (Alabama Connections Academy)3612.7
 23.3%
   End of Course Mathematics (Limestone County)39.716
 23.7%
   End of Course Mathematics (Alabama)42.523.6
 19%
End of Course Science (Alabama Connections Academy)38.232.8
 5.4%
   End of Course Science (Limestone County)4130.1
 11%
   End of Course Science (Alabama)42.631.7
 10.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students20187063
 250%
African American3992107
 428.1%
American Indian1974
 289.5%
Asian1456
 300%
Hispanic130409
 214.6%
Pacific Islander34
 33.3%
White13744187
 204.7%
Two or More Races79226
 186.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients59.8%65.1%
 5.3%


Schools Near Alabama Connections Academy









Frequently Asked Questions about Alabama Connections Academy

In the 2022-23 school year, 7,063 students attended Alabama Connections Academy.

Alabama Connections Academy ranks in the bottom 7.9% of Alabama alternative schools.

Students at Alabama Connections Academy are 59% White, 30% African American, 6% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 1% American Indian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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