Jefferson County

The Jefferson County school district in Alabama encompasses 56 schools, including 30 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 13 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. The district serves a diverse student population with varying socioeconomic backgrounds and academic performance levels.

Several schools stand out in the district, including Shades Valley High School, which ranks among the top 85 high schools in Alabama, and Bragg Middle School and Bryan Elementary School, which also rank among the top schools in the state. These standout schools demonstrate that high academic achievement is possible, even in the face of economic challenges. In contrast, some schools struggle with low test scores and high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a correlation between poverty and academic performance.

Overall, the data reveals significant disparities in student outcomes across the district, with a wide range in test score proficiency rates, spending per student, and student-teacher ratios. However, the exceptional performance of a few schools, such as the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, which ranks #2 in the state, suggests that there may be opportunities to learn from these successes and apply effective strategies more broadly to improve educational outcomes for all students in the Jefferson County school district.