The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Oxmoor K5
Oxmoor K5 is a regular public school in Birmingham, Alabama, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is one of the elementary schools within the Birmingham City Schools system. The student body is predominantly Black, with very small numbers of Hispanic, white, Asian, and multiracial students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating the school serves a community with significant economic need.
In terms of academic performance, Oxmoor K5’s results on the state’s 2024–25 assessments place it slightly above the midpoint relative to other districts in Jefferson County for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. This means that compared with other schools in the county, its combined math, reading, and science scores are roughly average. However, the actual share of students meeting state proficiency standards in each subject is modest. In math, proficiency rates in third and fifth grades were somewhat stronger than in fourth grade, where the rate was lower. In English language arts, fifth graders had a notably higher proficiency rate than third and fourth graders. Science results for fourth grade were very low. These are single-year figures, so no trend is available. A parent considering this school may want to ask about targeted support in the grade levels and subjects where students are struggling most.
The school’s setting is Birmingham, a mid-sized city that serves as a regional economic, medical, and educational hub for the Deep South. It has a diversified economy anchored by banking, healthcare, higher education, and manufacturing. Birmingham has seen a gradual population decline over the past decade, and the city lost its status as Alabama’s largest metro center to Huntsville. Still, the Birmingham metropolitan area remains the state’s largest. Downtown features historic architecture, parks, and cultural institutions, and the city has pursued revitalization through events and redevelopment. Housing values in the area are relatively low compared with state and national benchmarks, and rents are moderate, making the neighborhood more affordable than many parts of the metro.
For families with children at Oxmoor K5, the broader district context matters. Birmingham City Schools has been implementing a consolidation plan approved in 2023, merging several schools and repurposing buildings to address declining enrollment and aging infrastructure. This could affect which elementary school a child attends over time or what happens to the current facility. The district also opened a new Career Tech Academy for high school students, but that is not directly applicable to an elementary school. More immediately relevant is the Alabama Literacy Act, which requires third graders who do not meet reading proficiency to be retained. Data for Oxmoor K5 shows that reading proficiency in third grade was above the national typical range but still below half of students. The school likely offers literacy intervention programs, but a parent may want to confirm specific reading support.
Data on discipline, staffing, class sizes, and chronic absenteeism was not available for this school, so a family would need to follow up with the school or district for those details. The school is not a charter or magnet, and no information about Title I designation was provided, though the high share of students receiving meal assistance suggests the school may be eligible for federal support.
Overall, Oxmoor K5 offers a neighborhood elementary experience in a large urban district with a very high level of economic need. Its academic results are around the middle of the county but show room for growth, especially in fourth-grade math and science. The district is in a period of facility changes, and the state’s literacy retention policy adds a specific milestone for third graders. For families who value a diverse, urban setting and are comfortable with a school where a majority of students face economic challenges, this school may work well. Those seeking very high test scores or a wide array of specialized programs at the elementary level should investigate further to see if the school’s offerings match their priorities.
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