The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in English language arts. The lowest is 26% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Mcadory Elementary School
McAdory Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the unincorporated community of McCalla, southwest of Birmingham. It is a regular public school within the Jefferson County School System, one of the larger countywide districts in Alabama. The school’s grade band means it does not have a graduation rate, and state testing data is available only for the grades that are assessed: third through fifth.
On the 2024-25 Alabama state assessments, McAdory’s results present a mixed picture that families will want to weigh carefully. In English language arts, the school’s combined proficiency rate for third through fifth grade sits above the midpoint among the county’s districts when looking at an overall proficiency index. Third graders posted a proficiency rate that is relatively strong, fifth graders were close behind, and fourth graders were lower. In math, the pattern is more uneven. Third graders had a proficiency rate that is notably higher than the school’s overall average, but fourth and fifth graders showed much lower rates. Science, tested only in fourth grade, was the weakest subject area, with a proficiency rate well below the other subjects. The school’s overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades is above the midpoint for Jefferson County districts, but the spread between third-grade math and fourth-grade math suggests a pronounced drop-off that a parent may want to ask the school about directly.
The student body is diverse. The largest group is Black students, followed by white students, then Hispanic students, with a small share of students identifying as two or more races and very small numbers of Asian or Native American students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, placing the school in a context where many families are navigating economic pressures. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records, so a parent who needs information on special education services or language support programs would need to contact the school directly.
McCalla itself is a largely residential and rural community that has been steadily growing. It was first designated as a census-designated place in the 2020 census, and an effort to incorporate as a municipality has been discussed but not enacted. The area is car-dependent, with no real downtown or walkable commercial core. Most residents commute to jobs elsewhere in the Birmingham metro area. The dominant civic anchor is Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, a large recreational and historical site. Housing values in the area are moderate relative to national benchmarks, and the market is stable. The school sits on a campus shared with other Jefferson County schools, including McAdory Middle and McAdory High.
The district itself did not show any recent major changes or strategic shifts in the available public records, so the local context of McCalla’s growth and the school’s own academic trajectory are the primary factors a family would consider.
For a parent evaluating McAdory Elementary, the school offers a strong early literacy foundation in third grade, but the drop in math proficiency in later elementary grades is a clear area of concern. The ELA results are more consistent across grades, though still with a dip in fourth grade. The school’s overall proficiency index is above the middle of the pack among Jefferson County districts, which is a positive relative comparison, but the absolute proficiency rates in math and science for fourth and fifth graders are below what many families would consider a strong floor. The school serves a student body with a high share of economic need, and the community is a stable, growing suburban-rural area with limited amenities in walking distance. Families who prioritize a neighborhood school with a diverse enrollment and a community that is still developing its identity may find it a good fit, but those looking for consistently high test scores across all subjects and grades will want to dig deeper into the school’s instructional approach, especially in math and science.
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