The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in English language arts. The lowest is 46% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cedar Hill Elementary School
Cedar Hill Elementary School serves students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Ardmore, a small town in northeastern Limestone County that straddles the Alabama-Tennessee line. The town sits along State Route 53, with Interstate 65 passing just west, providing a direct route between Nashville and Huntsville. Ardmore has seen steady population growth over the past two decades, and the school is part of the Limestone County School District, which has itself experienced significant enrollment increases in recent years, prompting construction and renovation projects at several schools across the district.
On state assessments, Cedar Hill’s students performed at levels that place the school above the midpoint among the county’s two school districts in overall proficiency. English language arts results were a clear strength. Across the tested grades, third and fifth graders showed proficiency rates in the upper range, while fourth grade results were a bit lower but still respectable. Math proficiency varied by grade. Fifth graders posted the highest rate, third graders came in around the middle, and fourth graders were at a lower mark. Science results for fourth grade were about in line with the math figure for that grade. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across all tested subjects and grades, was substantially above the median of the two districts in Limestone County. A single year of assessment data is available, so trends cannot yet be evaluated.
The student body at Cedar Hill is predominantly white, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and very small numbers from other racial and ethnic groups. More than half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic need among families. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records, so a parent may wish to ask the school directly about the availability of special education services and English language support.
Housing in the area around the school carries a value slightly above the state benchmark but well below the national median, reflecting the relatively affordable market common in this part of northern Alabama. Ardmore itself is largely residential, with a compact layout along its main road. The town shares a police and fire department with its Tennessee counterpart, and notable civic landmarks include the Alabama Welcome Center near Interstate 65, which features a Saturn 1B rocket display, and the Benge Trail segment of the Trail of Tears. No specific major employers were identified in the immediate area; the town functions as a bedroom community within commuting distance of Huntsville and Nashville.
The district has taken several steps that may affect Cedar Hill families. In early 2024, voters renewed a property tax that generates a substantial annual sum for schools, providing continued funding for operations and staffing. A new K-3 reading curriculum was adopted for the 2024-2025 school year to align with the Alabama Literacy Act, so early elementary literacy instruction has changed recently. The district also opened a new career technical education center, though that primarily serves older students and would not directly affect Cedar Hill’s elementary-age population.
Given that the school serves only through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. Information on discipline, attendance, and course access was not available in the data provided. Cedar Hill is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. Its Title I status was not indicated, though the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch suggests the school could be eligible for federal support. A parent considering the school will find a solid academic record, particularly in reading, in a growing small-town setting with a moderate cost of living and recent district investments in infrastructure and early literacy.
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