Summary:
Zip code 35043, encompassing the Chelsea, Alabama area, is home to a single public high school, Chelsea High School, which serves grades 9 through 12 and is part of the Shelby County school district.
For parents, Chelsea High School is a standout performer, consistently ranking in the top 20-25 schools in Alabama and holding a 5-star rating for three consecutive years. The school's academic results are exceptional, particularly in mathematics, where 51.14% of 11th graders are proficient—nearly double the state average of 27.21%. Science proficiency (56.06%) and English proficiency (50.00%) also far exceed state averages by roughly 20 and 16 percentage points, respectively. The school also showed strong year-over-year improvement in math (+6.95 points) and science (+4.32 points), though English dipped slightly. With a graduation rate of 96.8%, well above the state's 91.5%, and a low chronic absenteeism rate of 10.6%, the school demonstrates a supportive and engaging environment. The student-teacher ratio is 17:1, and about 23.48% of students receive free or reduced lunch, indicating a moderate level of socioeconomic diversity.
In short, Chelsea High School delivers top-tier academic outcomes that significantly outpace both district and state benchmarks. Its strengths in math and science, combined with high graduation rates and low absenteeism, make it an excellent choice for families in the 35043 area. The only minor concern is a slight decline in English proficiency, which is worth monitoring, but overall, the school's consistent 5-star rating and strong performance across nearly all metrics indicate a high-quality education. Per-student spending of $9,012 (2018-2019 data) suggests efficient resource use, though more recent figures would be helpful for a complete financial picture.
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