Berry Middle School

Berry Middle School in Hoover, AL, is a large, high-performing public school serving 1,058 students in grades 6-8 within the highly ranked Hoover City district.

Berry Middle consistently ranks among the best middle schools in Alabama, currently placing 13th out of 443 schools statewide (top 3%) and earning a 5-star rating every year on record. What truly sets Berry apart is its remarkable success with all students. The school ranks 2nd in the state for Special Education students—a distinction it has held for three straight years—and 3rd for Hispanic students. This "rising tide" approach means strong results across every demographic group, with 5-star ratings for female, male, African American, White, and multi-racial students alike. Academically, Berry shines particularly in science, where 85% of 8th graders are proficient—31 points above the state average. Within its own district, Berry outperforms both Robert F Bumpus Middle School (ranked 20th) and Ira F Simmons Middle School (ranked 38th), making it the top middle school in Hoover City.

Compared to elite neighboring schools, Berry's achievements are even more impressive. While Pizitz Middle School (ranked 2nd) and Mountain Brook Junior High School (ranked 4th) post slightly higher rankings, they serve far more affluent populations (10% and 3% free/reduced lunch, respectively) compared to Berry's 30%. Berry's ability to achieve a top-15 ranking while serving a more economically diverse student body speaks to its effectiveness. Even against its closest geographic neighbor, Oak Mountain Middle School (just 2.1 miles away), Berry wins out in nearly every subject—for example, 58% proficiency in 7th-grade math versus Oak Mountain's 44%. The only minor concern is chronic absenteeism (7.9%), slightly above the district average, but still well below the state rate. For parents seeking a school that delivers excellent outcomes for every child, Berry Middle is an outstanding choice.