The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in English language arts. The lowest is 15% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on South Girard School
South Girard School is a regular public school in Phenix City, Alabama, serving only eighth grade. After this single year, students move on to the district's high school. Because it covers just one grade, many of the measures used for K-12 schools do not apply here: there is no graduation rate, no chronic absenteeism data, and no multi-year academic trend because only the most recent state test results are available. Parents evaluating the school will have to weigh what can be learned from a single snapshot.
That snapshot comes from Alabama’s ACAP assessments for the 2024-25 school year. In English language arts, roughly half of eighth graders met the state’s proficiency standard. In science, that figure was a bit over a third. In math, the share was notably lower, with about one in seven students reaching proficiency. These results place South Girard School below the midpoint among the two districts in Russell County on an overall proficiency index. Because the comparison set is small, that positioning means the school’s performance trails the other district in the county by a clear margin. A parent may want to ask the school how it supports students who are not yet on grade level, particularly in mathematics.
Enrollment is moderate for a single-grade school, and the student body is diverse. The majority of students are Black, with a substantial white population, followed by Hispanic students and a smaller share of multiracial students. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with significant economic need. Data on students with Individualized Education Programs and English learners was not reported, so it is unclear what share of students receive special education or language support services.
Phenix City sits on the west bank of the Chattahoochee River, directly across from Columbus, Georgia. The city functions as a residential and commercial counterpart to its larger neighbor, and its economy is tied to local manufacturing, the school system, Chattahoochee Valley Community College, Troy University’s satellite campus, and the nearby Fort Moore military installation. Housing in the area is generally affordable, and the city has invested in riverfront amenities including a river walk, an amphitheater, and Centennial Park. The school itself is located on Fontaine Road, within a network of highway corridors and bridges that connect Phenix City to Columbus.
The district brief for Phenix City Schools noted no recent major changes or initiatives that are publicly reported, so parents looking for a sense of direction or upcoming shifts will need to follow school board meetings or district communications directly.
South Girard School is a transitional campus, a single year between elementary and high school. For families in Phenix City, it is the default public option for eighth grade. The academic picture shows clear areas of strength in literacy and notable challenges in math. A parent considering this school would do well to learn about the specific math curriculum and intervention programs in place, as well as how the school prepares students for the higher expectations of high school coursework. The available data gives a starting point but leaves many questions unanswered.
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