D
Needs Improvement
45/100

South Highlands Middle School

📚 05 – 08 🏫 School
📍 700 Bernard Street, Union Springs, AL 36089
Overall
D
45/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
D
3.9 grade levels below the U.S. average · 4th percentile in Alabama
Growth
C+
Students gain 0.98 grade levels a year (U.S. average 1.0) · 45th percentile
Resources
B+
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Alabama schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

45
Repit Score
out of 100
383
Students
enrolled
16.0:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$15K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)40%4/1003.9 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
📈 Growth (how fast students learn)45%45/100Students gain 0.98 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 0.79 in 2009–19; 58th percentile in Alabama (recent period weighted 70%)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)15%82/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 87% students directly certified for free meals (their families receive SNAP or similar aid). Compared with Alabama schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are −10 points worse than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Alabama. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency13% (−28 pts vs. state avg 41%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21
➗ Math proficiency1% (−20 pts vs. state avg 20%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2020–21

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Alabama state test (2020–21), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
Black14%3%reading -15 pts, math -3 pts9th percentile (list)
Hispanic12%3%reading -23 pts, math -10 pts1st percentile (list)
Low-income12%3%reading -22 pts, math -7 pts3rd percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 700 Bernard Street
City Union Springs
ZIP Code 36089
District 0100480
NCES School ID 010048000221
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 36089

Understanding the community around South Highlands Middle School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $29,275
Per Capita Income $19,385
Poverty Rate 31.0%
Households Earning $100K+ 14.3%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 9.8%
High School or Higher 70.0%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $88,900
Median Rent $625
Owner-Occupied 60.7%
Renter-Occupied 39.3%
View full data for ZIP 36089 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 36089 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 36089 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for South Highlands Middle School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 54.8%
Female 45.2%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

Black 75.7%
Hispanic/Latino 23.0%
White 1.0%
American Indian 0.3%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 383
Teachers (FTE) 24.0
Student:Teacher Ratio 16.0:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for South Highlands Middle School?
South Highlands Middle School has a Repit School Score of 45 out of 100, earning a grade of D. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend South Highlands Middle School?
South Highlands Middle School has 383 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.0:1.
What grades does South Highlands Middle School serve?
South Highlands Middle School serves grades 05 – 08 and is classified as a School. This is a public school.
How much funding does South Highlands Middle School receive per student?
South Highlands Middle School receives $15,496 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around South Highlands Middle School in 36089 ▼
Avg Home Value
$124,831
Avg Monthly Rent
$711
1-Year Change
-11.4%
% Renters
39.3%

Other Schools in 36089

View all schools and real estate data for 36089 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026