TALLADEGA, Ala. — Talladega City Schools has delivered a milestone turnaround on the Alabama State Department of Education’s annual A-F Report Card, surging six points from a 77 to an 83—solidly earning a "B" rating and marking the district’s strongest overall performance across an eight-dataset reporting period.
The six-point leap is powered by dramatic single-year gains in classroom momentum, student attendance, and high school completion:
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Academic Growth: Jumped more than 11 points in a single year, climbing from 81.78 to 93.08—an all-time high across all eight reporting periods.
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Academic Achievement: Rose 6.4 points year-over-year, rebounding from 41.55 to 47.95.
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Graduation Rate: Climbed 5.4 points from 88.54 to 93.94, also setting a new series high.
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Chronic Absenteeism: Dropped to a series-low 10.22%, down from 12.78% the previous year and less than half of the 23.57% rate recorded two cycles prior.
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College and Career Readiness: Held strong at 83.84, representing a massive 30.84-point increase since the earliest dataset in the series (53.00).
Superintendent Dr. Quentin Lee is excited about the milestone, yet clear that the district is not ready to settle. Having told the community time after time that Talladega City Schools was a "B" district, he noted that the proof has finally arrived.
"I have told our district time after time that we are a 'B' district, and now the proof is on paper," said Dr. Lee. "Going from a 77 to an 83, backed by an academic growth score over 93 and a graduation rate pushing 94 percent, shows what happens when expectations rise. This victory belongs to every scholar, professional, and family of Talladega City Schools. The standard has been set, and we aren't letting up."
Board members echoed that pride, emphasizing that the numbers reflect a sustained cultural shift rather than a one-year anomaly.
"Seeing our chronic absenteeism cut by more than half over the past few years tells you that kids want to be in our buildings, and our families are bought in," said Board Member Jake Montgomery. "A 93.08 in academic growth shows our students are accelerating faster than ever, and we are giving them the tools to graduate ready for whatever comes next."
"These results belong to every bus driver, maintenance support, custodian, secretary, aide, nurse, cafeteria worker, teacher, administrator, parent, and student in Talladega City Schools," said Board President Sandra Beavers. "Moving firmly into 'B' territory at an 83 shows that our strategic investments in the classroom are paying off, and we are building on this momentum for the future. Our Scholars truly matter."