The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Morris Elementary School
Morris Elementary School is a regular public school in Huntsville, Alabama, serving students from PreK through fifth grade. It is part of the Huntsville City school district, which made a lasting change in 2023 by adopting a balanced calendar that starts the school year earlier and redistributes breaks across the year, something families should factor into their scheduling and summer plans.
Morris sits in a mid-size city that publicly reports itself as among the top twenty fastest-growing cities in the country, with an economy built around aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing. Major employers include NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center at Redstone Arsenal, Cummings Research Park, and manufacturing plants such as Mazda Toyota and Polaris. The city's growth has been driven by annexation and a steady influx of jobs, which in turn shapes the housing market and the mix of families living in different neighborhoods. The school's immediate housing context, based on available data, shows home values and rents that are below the state benchmark, and the national affordability picture suggests that buying a home carries a substantial monthly cost relative to renting. A parent considering the area should look into whether the local micro-market fits their budget.
The school enrolls a diverse student body. The largest groups by race and ethnicity are Black students and Hispanic students, each making up a substantial portion of the total, followed by White students and students of two or more races. A very high share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a population with significant economic need. The school also serves a small number of American Indian, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the provided records.
On state assessments, the school's results show a pattern that a parent will want to examine closely. In reading, across the tested grades, the share of students scoring proficient was moderate and varied by grade, with the highest proficiency in fifth grade and the lowest in fourth grade. In math, proficiency rates were lower across all grades, and the rate dropped from third to fifth grade, with only a small fraction of fifth graders meeting the proficiency bar. In science, which is tested in fourth grade, the rate was also low. When compared to other school districts in Madison County, the school's overall proficiency index fell in the bottom quartile. This is a soft spot, and a parent may want to ask the school about the specific supports in place for math and science instruction, as well as how the school addresses academic growth for students who start below grade level.
Because Morris is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report, and other high-school-level metrics do not apply. The data also did not include chronic absenteeism rates, discipline statistics, staffing ratios, or course access, so those dimensions cannot be characterized here. No program offerings such as gifted, magnet, or career pathways were provided, so the academic picture rests entirely on the state test results and the enrollment profile.
The locale of Huntsville is a place with a clear identity: a fast-growing city anchored by the space and defense industries, with a downtown core featuring parks, museums, and concert venues, while the University of Alabama in Huntsville sits within Cummings Research Park rather than downtown. The city's growth has brought new housing development and economic opportunities, but the school's own neighborhood may not reflect the city's overall affluence given the high share of students qualifying for meal assistance. The district's balanced calendar is a concrete logistical consideration that families should weigh when comparing Morris Elementary to other school options in the area.
In sum, Morris Elementary School serves a diverse, high-need student population in a growing city with a strong economic base. Its academic performance, especially in math and science, is an area where a parent would want to seek more information from the school and the district about interventions, curriculum, and support services. The school's size and grade span are typical for an elementary school, and the community context is one of rapid change and opportunity, alongside real economic disparities.
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