Summary:
Zip code 35210 is home to 2 elementary schools serving grades PK-5 within the Jefferson County school district, which ranks in the bottom third of Alabama districts and serves a predominantly economically disadvantaged student population.
For parents comparing schools in this area, Grantswood Community School is the clear standout. It outperforms Irondale Community School in 12 of 14 subject and grade combinations, holds a higher state ranking (500th vs. 577th), and boasts lower chronic absenteeism (9.4% vs. 13.3%). Grantswood also has a more favorable student-teacher ratio (15.2:1 vs. 16.8:1) and a lower poverty concentration (61.93% vs. 71.72% free/reduced lunch). Its 4th grade science proficiency (35.71%) nearly matches the district average and far exceeds Irondale's 19.23%. However, both schools trail state averages in most subjects, with the largest gaps in mathematics—Irondale's 4th grade math proficiency sits at just 11.69% compared to the state's 42.07%.
Several patterns stand out. Both schools show relative strength in English/Language Arts compared to math, and their 5th grade English scores are nearly identical (60.27% at Irondale vs. 60.00% at Grantswood), suggesting Irondale has a particularly strong cohort at that level. Irondale's 4th grade math proficiency dropped 48% year-over-year, a concerning trend that may point to instructional or cohort-specific challenges. Both schools have seen declining state rankings over the past three years, and Irondale's chronic absenteeism exceeds the state average. Grantswood spends $838 more per student ($12,702 vs. $11,864), which may contribute to its stronger outcomes, though neither school is closing the achievement gap with state averages. Parents should consider Grantswood the stronger academic option, while Irondale may benefit from targeted math and attendance interventions.
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