The top reported proficiency rate is 26% in English language arts. The lowest is 2% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Erwin Middle School
Erwin Middle School serves a population of students in grades six through eight in Center Point, Alabama, as part of the Jefferson County school district. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The student body is predominantly Black, with a smaller Hispanic population and very small shares of white students and students of two or more races. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that indicates high economic need across the school community. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the provided records.
State assessment results from the most recent testing year show very low proficiency rates in mathematics across grades six, seven, and eight. Proficiency rates in English language arts were higher but still low, and the rate for eighth-grade science was also low. Only one year of assessment data was available in the source, so there is no prior year to compare for trend. No other academic indicators, such as growth measures or student achievement in other subjects, were reported for this school.
The school's overall proficiency index, which averages the rates across all tested subjects and grades, placed Erwin Middle School in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Jefferson County. This comparison set includes all school districts in the county, not just middle schools. A four-year graduation rate and a chronic absenteeism rate are not applicable for a middle school that does not graduate students.
No information about course offerings, program pathways, or extracurricular activities was provided. The school’s website was not included in the data, so a parent looking for details on academic programs or special offerings would need to contact the school directly to fill in those gaps. There is no data on staffing ratios, teacher qualifications, or discipline incidents.
Center Point is a primarily residential suburb of Birmingham with a history of rapid residential development followed by economic decline and population loss. The city incorporated in part to deter annexation by Birmingham, and by the 2020 census a significant share of residents were below the poverty level. The population has been shrinking since the last census. A tornado in recent years destroyed the original Center Point Elementary School buildings, and the community has been rebuilding since. The area lacks a traditional downtown center, and the school campuses, including Erwin Middle School, are spread across the community. Housing in the area is priced at a level that is below the state median, and rents are also below the national benchmark, making this a relatively affordable part of the broader Birmingham area. No major new housing developments or major employers were identified in the available public sources.
For a family evaluating this school, the core academic picture is the central factor. The assessment results are very low across all three grade levels and all subjects tested. The data does not provide a measure of student growth over time, so it is not possible to tell from this information whether students at Erwin are making progress relative to their starting points. A parent may want to ask the school directly about how it supports students who are behind grade level in reading and math, and what interventions or targeted instruction are available. The school serves a community facing significant economic challenges, and the academic results reflect that context. Families looking for a middle school with strong test scores or a broad menu of advanced coursework will not find those strengths at Erwin based on the available data. A family whose priority is a neighborhood school that serves a specific community in a low-cost housing market may want to learn more about the school’s day-to-day environment, teaching staff, and specific supports for students.
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