FOLEY — Financial assistance from the City of Foley has played a key role in improving academic performance across all Foley-area public schools, educators told city officials.

The Foley City Council and the Foley Education Advisory Committee (FEAC) recently met with Baldwin County Public School System administrators and principals from the six schools in the Foley feeder pattern. During the meeting, school leaders highlighted gains shown on the most recent Alabama State Department of Education report cards.

All five Foley-area public schools earned a “B” rating on the state report card, marking the first time every school in the feeder pattern has reached that level. Over the last year, scores improved at each campus.

City officials budgeted $300,000 this year to support Foley-area schools, with funding distributed through FEAC. The city began providing additional funding to schools three years ago to supplement Baldwin County Board of Education resources and focus on academic and arts initiatives.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the partnership allows the city to help schools address their individual needs.

“Each school is unique and they have unique challenges,” Hellmich said. “The Baldwin County Board of Education does an incredible job supporting all of our schools. We supplement that. That’s what we hope to do. I want to thank you for the partnership that you’ve allowed us to do. I think it’s made a difference.”

Baldwin County Superintendent Eddie Tyler praised Foley educators for their commitment to student success.

“They are dead serious about moving the needle — the academics, helping kids,” Tyler said. “It’s all about the leadership. I guarantee you, we’ve got some of the best leaders in our schools now. I’m very proud and excited about that.”

Schools in the Foley feeder pattern include Foley High School, Foley Middle School, Foley Elementary School, Florence B. Mathis Elementary School, Magnolia Elementary School and Swift School.

Over the past three years, report card scores increased across all campuses:

  • Foley High School: 70 to 80

  • Foley Middle School: 68 to 81

  • Florence B. Mathis Elementary: 79 to 83

  • Foley Elementary: 79 to 85

  • Magnolia Elementary: 77 to 83

  • Swift School: 78 to 82

FEAC Chair JaNay Dawson said the improvements reflect how schools are using city funding to address their specific needs.

“This is indicative of the work of the principals and teachers in your schools,” Dawson said. “The reason we are able to do this is that the City of Foley and the Baldwin County Board of Education agreed three years ago to enter into a partnership to provide extra support to focus on academics and arts.”

Many schools use the funding to hire part-time instructors (PTIs), while principals determine how best to use the money.

At Florence B. Mathis Elementary, Principal Gina Gipson said PTIs have helped boost reading scores and reduce chronic absenteeism.

“Our students are learning more, growing faster and showing strong academic progress across multiple areas,” Gipson said.

Foley Elementary Principal Brooke Waters said FEAC funding has helped improve scores even as the school serves more special education students and English language learners. The school employs seven PTIs, many of them retired Baldwin County teachers.

“Your investment has allowed us to strengthen our school in ways that directly benefit students every single day,” Waters said.

At Magnolia Elementary, Principal P.J. Sute said city funding supports math intervention, behavior intervention and special education services. Chronic absenteeism dropped from as high as 19% to less than 1%.

“We definitely credit this to the attendance incentives and behavior support made possible through this partnership,” Sute said.

Swift School used FEAC funding to purchase bilingual Vox books to support English language learners. Principal Lynn Smith said the books and PTIs have helped students feel more confident and improve academically.

“We could not do it without you,” Smith said. “Thank you very much for supporting us.”

At Foley Middle School, Principal Katy White said scores in reading, science and English as a second language, along with attendance rates, have all improved. The school’s 13-point gain was the highest among Foley-area schools.

“Without the support of this community, Foley Middle School would not be where it is today,” White said.

Foley High School Principal Jessica Webb said city funding has expanded college readiness efforts, including ACT preparation and testing for students.

“This has really elevated our schools and what we can offer our kids,” Webb said. “Every school is different, and our needs are different, but our committee does a great job of listening and supporting us.”

City officials and school leaders said the partnership will continue as they work together to further improve academic outcomes for Foley students.