Summary:
The 38748 zip code area is home to 3 schools - 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high school - all part of the Hollandale School District. Unfortunately, these schools are consistently underperforming, with proficiency rates in core subjects like English Language Arts and Mathematics well below state averages. The student population is overwhelmingly African American, with very low representation of other racial/ethnic groups, and all three schools have a 100% free/reduced lunch rate, indicating high levels of economic disadvantage.
Across the three schools, academic performance is a major concern. For example, at Sanders Elementary School, the 5th-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was just 22.2% in 2023-2024, compared to the state average of 51.7%. Similarly, the 5th-grade Mathematics proficiency rate at Sanders Elementary was 13.3%, far below the state average of 53.7%. The high school-level performance at Simmons High School is also concerning, with Algebra I and English II proficiency rates significantly lagging behind state averages.
Despite higher-than-average spending per student and lower student-teacher ratios, the academic struggles of these schools persist. This suggests that simply increasing funding or reducing class sizes may not be enough to address the underlying issues affecting student achievement in this area. Addressing the challenges faced by the schools in the 38748 zip code will likely require a comprehensive, multifaceted approach that goes beyond just financial resources and staffing levels.
Thank you for your feedback!