Original Research by School Decision on Andalusia High School
Andalusia High School serves grades nine through twelve in the Andalusia City district, a regular public school in the county seat of Covington County. It is one of three schools in the district, with the elementary and junior high on separate campuses. The school enrollment is moderate for a high school in a small city and draws from the town itself rather than the broader county.
State testing data is available for a single school year, covering English language arts, math, and science. In all three subjects, the share of students meeting proficiency standards was below half. This is the most direct measure of academic performance available, and it points to an area where the school faces clear challenges. Only one year of results exists, so there is no trend to examine. The school does not have reported data on graduation rates or chronic absenteeism, which are common metrics for high schools. A parent looking for a full picture of how students complete their high school careers may want to ask the school directly for those numbers.
The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Black population and very small shares of Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students. A significant portion of students come from economically disadvantaged households, based on eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source data, so the school's special education and language support programs are not described here.
Andalusia itself is a traditional county seat with a courthouse square and a historic downtown district. The local economy is built around manufacturing — Shaw Industries and Wayne Farms are major employers — along with timber products and the community college campus. The town's population has been declining slightly in recent years, though industrial expansions have taken place. Housing in the area is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks, which is typical for this part of Alabama. The town is auto-oriented, with limited public transit, and the schools are located on separate properties away from the downtown core.
Program offerings at the high school — such as Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education, or dual enrollment with the local community college — were not included in the available data. Similarly, information on staffing ratios, discipline rates, and course access is absent. Without these details, the academic pathway available to students beyond the core curriculum is unclear. A family considering this school would need to request a course catalog or speak with the counseling office to understand what college and career preparation options exist.
The district's parent-relevant changes were searched and none were confirmed for recent years, so there is no major bond issue, rezoning, or curriculum overhaul to report.
Andalusia High School offers a standard high school education in a small-town setting with a mixed-race, economically diverse student body. The state test results indicate that overall academic achievement is below typical benchmarks, which is a measurable concern. For a family weighing this school, the next step would be to investigate what supports are in place to address those results and what opportunities exist beyond the tested subjects.
See more original research from School Decision →