Summary:
Zip code 35079, encompassing the Hayden area of Blount County, Alabama, is served by a single high school, Hayden High School, which educates students in grades 8 through 12 and is part of the Blount County school district.
For parents, Hayden High School stands out as a strong academic performer, ranking in the top 20% of all Alabama high schools (83rd percentile). The school’s most impressive statistic is its 98.5% graduation rate, which far exceeds the state average of 91.5%. This success is likely tied to exceptionally low chronic absenteeism (5.5% versus the 12.0% state average), meaning students are consistently in class. Academically, the school outperforms both the district and state averages in every subject and grade level tested. Its strongest subject is science, where 11th-grade proficiency (48.95%) is nearly 13 points above the state average, and 8th-grade science proficiency (61.01%) is also a standout. While math scores are above average, they remain the school's relative weak point, with 11th-grade proficiency at 33.57% compared to the state's 27.21%.
One notable trend is a significant "8th-grade advantage," where 8th graders score dramatically higher than 11th graders in English (64.78% vs. 38.73%) and science. This could indicate a strong middle-school feeder program or a dip in performance during the upper high school years. Encouragingly, the school showed substantial year-over-year improvement from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, with 11th-grade math proficiency jumping from 22.45% to 33.57%, suggesting recent curriculum changes are working. With a student-teacher ratio of 19.3 and a moderate free/reduced lunch rate of 31.2%, Hayden High School demonstrates that effective teaching and strong attendance can lead to excellent outcomes, making it a solid choice for families in the area.
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