The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in English language arts. The lowest is 28% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Goshen Elementary School
Goshen Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the small rural town of Goshen, located in southwestern Pike County, Alabama. It is a regular public school and part of the Pike County school system. The school is one of two in the town, the other being Goshen High School, and both sit within the community rather than on isolated campuses.
The student body is modest in size for a PK-6 school, with enrollment spread fairly evenly across the grade levels. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of the area. Racially, the school is predominantly white, with a sizable Black population and smaller shares of Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students.
Academically, Goshen Elementary’s state assessment results from the 2024-25 school year show a mixed picture that varies by grade and subject. In reading, third graders performed at a level where a majority met the state benchmark, but that share dropped notably by fourth grade, recovered somewhat in fifth, and then settled around half proficient in sixth. Math performance started at about half proficient in third grade but declined steadily, with a much smaller proportion meeting the benchmark in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. Science, tested only in fourth grade, showed a limited share of students reaching proficiency. Overall, when looking across all tested grades and subjects, the school’s proficiency levels placed it below the other district in Pike County. A parent may want to inquire with the school about how these patterns are being addressed, particularly the drop-off in upper elementary math.
Several types of data that many families look for were not available. The school’s website, program offerings, course access, and staffing information were not included in the available records. Neither chronic absenteeism rates nor discipline data were reported, so a parent considering Goshen Elementary may wish to ask directly about attendance patterns and school climate. Because the school serves only through sixth grade, there is no graduation rate to consider.
Goshen itself is a very small town with a population that has been essentially flat to slightly declining in recent years. Its workforce is concentrated in retail trade and educational services or health care, and it retains a rural, residential character with limited commercial activity. The town has a community center and town hall, but no public parks or library were mentioned in available sources. Housing here is relatively affordable, with home values below the state average, though the local economy does not appear to be expanding. No recent major changes or initiatives were reported for the Pike County district that would affect Goshen Elementary.
For a family, the school offers a small-town setting where students can attend elementary school in the same community where they live, with a peer group that reflects the area’s demographics. The academic data points to areas of strength in early reading and areas where growth is needed, particularly in math and in the upper elementary grades. The absence of information on programs, staff, and school climate means a parent should plan to visit and ask specific questions to get a fuller picture of what the school offers beyond test results.
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