Summary:
ZIP code 35051 is home to just one public high school, Shelby County High School, which serves grades 9-12 in Columbiana, Alabama, with an enrollment of 572 students.
For parents considering this area, Shelby County High School presents a mixed picture. The school is part of the Shelby County district, which ranks in the top 30% of Alabama districts with a 4-star rating. The school's graduation rate of 92.3% is slightly above the state average, and its science proficiency is a genuine strength—43.9% of 11th graders are proficient, which is 7.7 points above the state average and improved by 8.2 points year-over-year. English proficiency is also stable, sitting right at the state average. However, mathematics is a serious concern: only 18.7% of students are proficient, which is 8.5 points below the state average and a dramatic 22-point gap compared to the district average. Even more troubling, math scores dropped by 11.3 points from the previous year, suggesting either a weak cohort or a need for stronger math intervention programs.
Attendance is another red flag. The chronic absenteeism rate of 16% is significantly higher than both the district (11%) and state (12%), which likely undermines academic progress. With 57% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, the school faces socioeconomic challenges, though per-student spending of $11,966 is moderate. The school's state ranking has been volatile—swinging from 180th to 100th to 127th over three years—indicating instability that parents should monitor. Overall, this is a mid-tier school with clear strengths in science and graduation rates, but the declining math performance and high absenteeism need immediate attention. Families prioritizing strong STEM programs might find the science offerings appealing, but those concerned about math fundamentals should ask the school about intervention strategies.
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