The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in English language arts. The lowest is 34% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Airport Road Intermediate School
Airport Road Intermediate School is a regular public school in Coosada, Alabama, part of the Elmore County Public School System. It serves only two grade levels, third and fourth, a narrow span that makes it a transitional stop for children moving from primary into upper elementary grades elsewhere in the district. The school’s enrollment is large enough to fill two grade levels comfortably, and the student body reflects the broader community: white and Black students each make up a substantial share, with a visible Hispanic population and a smaller but present group of students who identify as two or more races.
State testing data from the most recent school year paints a mixed picture. In English language arts, a solid majority of third graders met the proficiency benchmark, and while the fourth-grade rate was lower, it still stood at a level that many families would see as adequate. Math results were weaker: third graders showed a modest proficiency rate, and fourth graders fell well short of a majority. Science, tested only in fourth grade, also showed a low rate. Overall, the school’s combined proficiency across subjects and grades sits below the midpoint among the three Elmore County districts that reported usable data. The trend data covers only one year, so there is no basis for assessing direction. A parent considering this school may want to ask about supports in math and science instruction, especially given the drop between third and fourth grade in both subjects.
A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating a student body where economic need is widespread. The school is not classified as a charter or magnet, and data on Title I status, special education enrollment, English learner counts, discipline, staffing, and chronic absenteeism were not available. That is not unusual for a school of this grade span, but it leaves gaps a parent may want to fill by speaking with the school directly.
Coosada is a small, rural town along the Alabama River, described by a regional planning commission as offering a quiet, country lifestyle. There is no significant commercial district or downtown, and the built environment is scattered residential properties with a cluster of civic buildings. Walkability is limited; the town is car-dependent. Population growth has been slow, and no major new housing developments or commercial projects were found in available sources. Home values in the area are near the Alabama statewide median and well below the national median, making the housing market more accessible than many parts of the country. Rents are also relatively modest. The town hosts a heritage festival and a Fourth of July fireworks display, but has no public library or transit system. Many residents likely commute to Montgomery or other nearby centers for work.
No recent parent-relevant changes or initiatives were identified at the district level. The Elmore County system appears to have been operating without major curricular shifts, referendums, or property-tax changes in the past few years.
Airport Road Intermediate School fits a family seeking a straightforward, grade-segmented public school in a quiet rural setting with below-average housing costs. The academic results are uneven, with reading stronger than math and science, and overall performance trailing other Elmore County districts. The economic profile suggests a school where many students come from low-income households, which can bring additional challenges and resources. A parent with a child entering third or fourth grade will want to look into the school’s math and science support structures and confirm that the transition to a later elementary or middle school is well coordinated.
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