Summary:
Zip code 35802 is served by a single public high school, Virgil Grissom High School, part of the Huntsville City district, which enrolls 1,847 students in grades 9 through 12.
Virgil Grissom High School is a standout academic performer, ranking 37th out of 380 high schools in Alabama for the 2025-2026 school year, placing it in the top 10% statewide and earning a 5-star rating. Its 11th-grade proficiency rates significantly outpace both the district and state averages in every core subject: 37.89% proficient in math (compared to 30.67% district and 27.21% state), 46.44% in science (district 38.65%, state 36.17%), and 51.73% in English (district 46.49%, state 33.73%). The school also showed remarkable year-over-year improvement, with proficiency jumping by 9 to 14 percentage points across all subjects from the previous year, suggesting recent academic initiatives are proving highly effective.
However, there are areas of concern. The graduation rate of 91.4% is slightly below the state average of 91.5% and notably below the district's 94.5%. Chronic absenteeism is a significant issue, with 14.1% of students chronically absent—much higher than the district's 8.2% and above the state's 12.0%. The student-teacher ratio of 18.5 to 1 is relatively high, and 34.98% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. For families in this zip code, this school is the only public option, and its combination of top-tier academics, strong test scores, and a rising state ranking makes it an attractive choice for those prioritizing rigorous academics, though the attendance and graduation gaps are worth noting for a complete picture.
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