The top reported proficiency rate is 84% in English language arts. The lowest is 63% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Pick Elementary School
Pick Elementary School serves third through fifth grade in the Auburn City Schools district and sits in a rapidly growing university town where housing costs are well above state averages. The combination of strong academic performance, a diverse student body, and a district under pressure to accommodate new families creates a clear picture for a parent considering this school.
Academically, the school posts results that stand out. On the state's ACAP assessments, reading proficiency across all three grade levels is high, with rates climbing into the mid-eighties. Math proficiency is solid, though lower, with a modest decline from third to fifth grade—a pattern that is not unusual as content gets harder. Science, tested only in fourth grade, lands between the reading and math results. When compared with other elementary schools in Lee County, Pick's overall proficiency index places it in the top tier, above the middle of the field. The data covers only one year of this assessment, so there is no trend to report yet. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate.
The student body of just over four hundred children is racially and economically mixed. Roughly half of students are white, close to a fifth are Asian, and Black and Hispanic students each make up a notable share. Just over a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker that places the school at an income level well below the national median household income. Data on special education and English learner populations was not available, and because the school is a regular public elementary school with no Title I designation in the data, its classification remains something a parent may want to ask the district about directly.
The school sits within the Auburn City Schools district, which has been one of the fastest-growing in Alabama. Enrollment has climbed steadily for years, and the district’s single high school currently holds the largest high school enrollment in the state. A second high school is planned to open in 2028, a major capital project driven by sustained population growth and overcrowding. That growth has also triggered grade-level reconfigurations across several buildings in recent years, and the district recently had its Cognia accreditation reaffirmed, confirming that it meets regional quality standards.
Auburn itself is a college town dominated by Auburn University, which shapes both the economy and the character of the city. The downtown area is integrated with the university campus and has pedestrian-friendly walkability, but the city covers a large area and much of its residential growth has come in the form of suburban sprawl. Housing values in the zip code serving the school are well above the state median, and rents are similarly elevated, reflecting the demand from university faculty, staff, and the broader workforce. The city’s major employers include the university and a cluster of mid-sized high-tech manufacturing and research firms. A large research park anchors some of that employment.
For a parent, the central takeaway is a school with strong elementary academics in a district that is managing rapid growth. The high reading proficiency and top-tier county comparison suggest a school that delivers on the basics. The math and science results, while lower, are still within a reasonable range. The student body is economically diverse, and the cost of housing in the area is significant, which may affect family budgets or the pool of peers your child would encounter. The district’s growth pressures mean that boundary lines and school assignments could shift over time, and the planned second high school will eventually change the secondary landscape. If you are considering a move to Auburn, Pick Elementary appears to be a solid option, but understanding how the district’s growth plans affect your specific neighborhood and future feeder patterns would be worth a direct conversation with the district office.
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