Best Elementary Schools in montgomery, AL (2026 List)

Montgomery, Alabama, a historic capital with about 195,000 residents, serves as a regional hub for government, aerospace (Maxwell AFB), and manufacturing—24% of jobs are in public service. Education is managed by Montgomery Public Schools, enrolling over 31,700 students across numerous magnet and traditional schools, including nationally ranked Loveless Academic Magnet Program (LAMP) High School. Yet district-wide academic performance remains low—proficiency hovers near 9–33% in math and reading, though the graduation rate rose from ~67% to ~79% in 2022–2023 thanks to literacy initiatives and career-readiness programs. Notable civic leaders like Elijah Cook, who helped establish Montgomery’s first Black schools post–Civil War, highlight the city’s deep educational legacy. Montgomery offers affordability and civic growth, but significant equity and learning gaps remain priorities.