The top reported proficiency rate is 73% in English language arts. The lowest is 44% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Stevenson Elementary School
Stevenson Elementary School is a regular public school serving prekindergarten through fourth grade in the small, rural town of Stevenson, Alabama. It is part of the Jackson County School System, which has recently undergone a district-wide consolidation that closed several community schools and redrew attendance zones—a structural change that may affect which schools children attend and how far they travel, though the specific impact on Stevenson Elementary was not detailed in available materials.
Academically, the school’s performance is a mixed picture when looking at state assessments. In English language arts, both third and fourth graders scored at levels that are strong, with the large majority of students meeting proficiency. Math results are more uneven: third-grade math performance is solid, but fourth-grade math drops to a much lower rate—a pattern that could reflect a curriculum transition or a shift in content difficulty that parents may want to discuss with the school. Science, tested only in fourth grade, sits in a moderate range. Across all tested subjects and grades, Stevenson Elementary’s combined proficiency index places it above the other district in Jackson County. Because only two school districts operate in the county, that top position is notable but should be understood within a very small comparison set. The assessment data covers only one school year, so there is no trend information to say whether performance is improving or declining.
The school is small, with enrollment that is modest for its grade span. The student body is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population of nearly one in five students, a smaller Black population, and a handful of American Indian or multiracial students. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high-poverty school community. The school’s Title I status was not reported in the data, but the income profile suggests it likely receives federal support for low-income students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so families should inquire directly about support services.
Stevenson itself is a small, rural town that has experienced population decline. Its economy was historically anchored by textile manufacturing and lumber, but those industries largely disappeared by the 1990s. Manufacturing still accounts for a leading share of local employment, followed by education and healthcare. The town retains a quiet, auto-oriented layout centered on a historic downtown with a railroad depot museum and several nearby historic sites. Housing values in the area are below both the state and national averages, consistent with a lower-cost rural market. No major new housing or commercial developments were mentioned in available sources, and the population is contracting, which gives the community a stable but static feel.
For a family considering Stevenson Elementary, the school offers a small-scale, rural environment with a clear academic bright spot in early literacy. The drop in fourth-grade math proficiency is a concern worth exploring, as is the limited data on special education and English learner services. The high poverty rate means the school likely provides meal programs and may have additional resources, but families should verify specific support offerings. The district’s consolidation efforts mean that attendance zones and school configurations could shift in the coming years, so it is wise to stay informed about Jackson County Schools’ long-term plans. Overall, Stevenson Elementary fits a family looking for a close-knit, rural elementary school with solid reading instruction and a low-cost housing market, but who will want to ask specific questions about math instruction, student support services, and the future of the district’s school map.
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