Summary:
Zip code 35226 in Hoover, Alabama, is home to five highly-rated elementary schools within the Hoover City school district, serving a combined 2,730 students from Pre-K through 5th grade. All five schools—Deer Valley Elementary School, Bluff Park Elementary School, Gwin Elementary School, Green Valley Elementary School, and Shades Mountain Elementary School—exceed state averages in most subjects, making this a strong area for families prioritizing academics.
Bluff Park Elementary School is the clear top performer, ranking 15th in Alabama (98th percentile) with exceptional consistency across all subjects: 83.6% math, 89.8% English Language Arts (ELA), and 86.4% science proficiency. Deer Valley Elementary School is a close second, boasting the highest single-grade score in the group with 91.4% third-grade reading proficiency and a 95th percentile ranking. Shades Mountain Elementary School holds a solid middle position with strong math improvement, while Gwin Elementary School and Green Valley Elementary School lag behind—though they still outperform state averages. The achievement gap is notable: Bluff Park leads Gwin by nearly 29 percentage points in math and 12 points in ELA.
Interestingly, higher per-student spending does not translate to better results. Shades Mountain Elementary School spends the most ($14,266 per student) yet trails Deer Valley Elementary School, which spends the least ($9,694). Socioeconomic factors show a clear pattern, with lower free/reduced lunch rates at the top-performing schools. All five schools have remarkably low chronic absenteeism (3.6%–6.0%, well below the 12% state average), indicating strong family engagement. Gwin Elementary School stands out in science at 80% proficiency despite lower math scores, suggesting a targeted strength. For parents, this zip code offers excellent options, with Bluff Park and Deer Valley leading the pack and every school providing a safe, engaged learning environment.
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