Summary:
Zip code 35023 is home to two high schools within the Jefferson County school district, serving a combined 1,977 students in grades 6-12 across a mix of traditional and combined middle/high school settings.
For parents comparing schools in this area, Oak Grove High School is the clear academic leader. It ranks 218th in the state (2 stars) compared to Hueytown High School's 268th place (1 star). Oak Grove boasts a 98.9% graduation rate versus Hueytown's 89.9%, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 14.6% is less than half of Hueytown's alarming 29.5%. In 11th-grade testing, Oak Grove outperforms Hueytown in every subject: math (20% vs. 16.81%), science (28% vs. 24.34%), and English (25% vs. 16.29%). Oak Grove also benefits from a more economically stable student body, with 40% qualifying for free/reduced lunch compared to 66% at Hueytown. Notably, Oak Grove's middle school program (grades 6-8) shows strong English proficiency near state averages, though there is a significant drop-off by 11th grade.
Despite trailing Oak Grove, Hueytown High School shows promising improvement. Its state ranking has climbed from 308th to 268th over three years, with math proficiency more than doubling (8.1% to 16.81%) and science jumping from 14.08% to 24.34%. Both schools exceed the district's math average, making them relative bright spots within the 1-star rated Jefferson County system. Oak Grove also spends more per student ($9,230 vs. $8,484). The most pressing concern for the area is Hueytown's chronic absenteeism, which is nearly double the district rate and likely contributes to its lower graduation rate and academic performance. If current improvement trends continue, both schools could approach state averages within a few years.
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