The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Saks High School
Saks High School is a regular public school in Anniston, Alabama, serving seventh through twelfth grades as part of the Calhoun County school system. The school sits at the center of academic patterns that families will want to weigh carefully, alongside a community context that is defined by its affordability, industrial heritage, and ongoing revitalization efforts.
On state assessments, the school presents a mixed academic picture with a notable gap between English language arts and math. In the most recent testing year, seventh and eighth grade proficiency in English language arts reached roughly half of students or a bit more, with eighth grade performing at a level that is solidly in the middle range. Science proficiency in eighth grade was lower than that, landing just below a fifth of students. Math proficiency was very low, particularly in eighth grade where it fell well below the state midpoint; seventh grade math proficiency was somewhat higher but still considerably lower than typical. Across all tested subjects and grades combined, Saks High School places in the bottom quartile of schools relative to other districts in Calhoun County, a comparison set that includes five districts. The district brief turned up little of lasting impact in terms of recent administrative or program changes, so what a family sees now appears to be a stable condition rather than one in flux.
The student body of roughly school-age size for a secondary school is diverse. About half the students are Black, a little over a third are white, and more than a tenth are Hispanic, with very small shares of Asian and multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that is high. Data on the share of students with individualized education plans and the share who are English learners was not available, a gap that a parent may want to follow up on directly with the school to understand the full picture of student supports.
Anniston, where the school is located, is a mid-sized city and the county seat of Calhoun County, founded in the nineteenth century as a private iron company town. It sits in the Appalachian foothills and is bisected by Interstate 20, which runs about an hour west to Birmingham and east to Atlanta. The city’s population has declined from its mid-twentieth-century peak, but it remains a regional center for government, commerce, and culture. Downtown Anniston, centered on Noble Street, houses the county courthouse, a federal courthouse, and the Anniston Museums and Gardens. The city is also a designated Main Street Alabama community, signaling organized downtown revitalization, and it adopted a comprehensive plan in 2022. The Chief Ladiga Trail, a rails-to-trails project, provides a non-motorized path through the area.
The former Fort McClellan, decommissioned and incorporated into the city, now hosts separate campuses including a national guard training center and the Center for Domestic Preparedness, which trains emergency responders from around the country. The Anniston Army Depot, a World War II-era facility, remains a major employer for the region. Housing values in the zip code that contains the school are deep below both the state and national benchmarks, making the area one of the most affordable places in the country.
For a family considering Saks High School, the biggest question is about academic readiness and support. The math proficiency rates are well below state averages and the overall academic profile ranks low within the county. A parent who sees a child needing strong math instruction or who expects the school to prepare a large share of students for competitive college admissions will want to ask what math interventions and advanced course options the school provides. A family whose child is stronger in reading and writing and who values a diverse, mid-sized school in an affordable community may find this environment workable, but they should verify that the school’s academic trajectory matches their goals, particularly in math and science. The absence of information on special education and English learner enrollment makes it hard to know what tailored support exists. A visit and a conversation with the principal about course access and student outcomes would be essential before a decision.
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