Summary:
The city of Buhl, Alabama is home to three schools serving students from elementary through high school: Sipsey Valley Middle School, Sipsey Valley High School, and Buhl Elementary School. These schools serve the Tuscaloosa County district and face a range of academic challenges and successes.
Among the standout schools, Buhl Elementary shines with the highest proficiency rates in Mathematics and English, particularly in 3rd grade where 85.29% of students were proficient or better in English. The school's relatively low student-teacher ratio of 17.1 may contribute to its stronger academic performance. In contrast, Sipsey Valley High School ranks 135 out of 378 Alabama high schools, the highest ranking among the three schools, and outperforms the county and state averages in Science and English for 11th grade.
However, the data also reveals significant challenges across the schools. All three struggle with Mathematics proficiency, with rates below the county and state averages, especially in the higher grade levels. Additionally, the high rates of free and reduced lunch recipients, ranging from 57.93% to 65.29%, indicate substantial socioeconomic challenges that may be impacting student achievement. The racial disparities observed, with Buhl Elementary having a significantly higher percentage of white students compared to the other more diverse schools, suggest potential equity issues that need to be addressed.
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