Summary:
Zip code 35143 in Shelby, Alabama, is served by a single elementary school, Shelby Elementary School, which enrolls 242 students across grades PK through 5 within the Shelby County district.
For parents considering this area, Shelby Elementary School stands out as a high-performing and rapidly improving school. In the 2025-2026 school year, the school jumped to the 89th percentile statewide (rank 78 out of 686 schools), a remarkable leap from the 79th percentile in prior years. Students consistently outperform both district and state averages in every subject and grade level tested. For example, 5th-grade math proficiency reached 72.22% compared to the state average of 39.06%, and 5th-grade English hit 88.89% versus 69.53% statewide. The school also showed dramatic year-over-year gains, with 4th-grade science improving by 21.43 percentage points and 3rd-grade math by 16.52 points. With a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 and per-student spending of $17,161, the school provides strong individualized support. Notably, it achieves these results while serving a majority low-income population, with 58.68% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch.
One area of concern is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 15.4%—higher than both the district (11.0%) and state (12.0%) averages. However, this does not appear to hinder academic outcomes, as English/Language Arts proficiency has remained remarkably stable and strong across all grades (77.78%–88.89%) over multiple years, suggesting a well-established literacy program. Overall, Shelby Elementary School is an excellent choice for families, offering above-average academics, a supportive learning environment, and a trajectory of continuous improvement that makes it a standout school in Alabama.
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