The top reported proficiency rate is 57% in English language arts. The lowest is 32% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Eden Elementary School
Eden Elementary School is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Pell City, a growing community in St. Clair County along the Interstate 20 corridor between Birmingham and Atlanta. The school is part of the Pell City district, which operates separate campuses spread across town rather than a single downtown cluster.
On the state’s ACAP assessments, Eden Elementary’s academic profile varies by subject and grade. Reading proficiency was the strongest area: in both third and fourth grade, more than half of students met the proficiency bar. Math was weaker, particularly in fourth grade where proficiency was less than half of what third graders posted. Science results for fourth graders fell in between. The available data covers only the most recent school year, so there is no trend line to indicate whether performance is improving or declining. When compared to other districts in St. Clair County—a set of two—the school’s overall proficiency index sits in the bottom quartile. Because Eden Elementary ends at fourth grade, there is no graduation rate to report.
A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting a school community where economic need is present. The student body is predominantly white, with a modest share of Black students and smaller groups of Hispanic and multiracial students. No data was available for students with disabilities or English learners; a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
One policy that directly affects families with children in the early grades is the Alabama Literacy Act. Beginning with the 2023–2024 school year, third graders must demonstrate reading proficiency on the ACAP to be promoted to fourth grade. This state mandate makes the school’s third-grade reading results—which, while the strongest subject, still leave a notable share below proficiency—a practical concern for parents to understand and plan around.
Pell City itself has been growing steadily, with population rising since the last census. The city sits on Logan Martin Lake, which draws tourism and summer residents, and the lake’s recreational amenities are a defining feature of the area. Historically a textile mill town centered on Avondale Mills, the local economy has shifted toward a mix of residential development, retail along the I-20 corridor, and the school system and a hospital as major employers. In a recent vote, residents approved a property tax referendum that funds full-time art and music teachers for all elementary schools, storm shelters, and sports facility upgrades—a sign of community investment in the schools.
Housing in the area is moderately priced relative to national benchmarks, and the combination of lake access, interstate proximity, and a growing population has drawn new residents. The built environment is car-oriented, with commercial activity near highway exits and school campuses spread out; there is no traditional walkable downtown.
Eden Elementary offers a straightforward early elementary program in a district that has made recent investments in arts instruction and storm safety. Families considering the school will want to look into the Literacy Act’s implications for third-grade promotion and seek information on special education and English learner services, as those data were not available in the public record. For those who value lake-oriented recreation and a growing but still modest-sized community, Pell City provides that context, and Eden Elementary sits within it as a neighborhood school serving the youngest students.
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