Schools in Zip Code 35989

Zip code 35989 is home to a single school, Valley Head High School, an alternative school in Valley Head, Alabama, serving grades PK through 12 with 517 students in the DeKalb County district.

Despite its name, Valley Head High School serves as the primary educational hub for this community, functioning as a comprehensive PK-12 institution rather than a specialized alternative program. The school stands out for its strong early-grade performance, particularly in 3rd-grade math (53.33% proficiency, exceeding both district and state averages) and 5th-grade English (80.49% proficiency, significantly above district and state benchmarks). However, academic proficiency declines sharply in upper grades, with 11th-grade math and English both at just 15.15% proficiency, well below state averages. The school also demonstrates notable strengths in student retention, boasting a 93.1% graduation rate that exceeds the state average of 91.5%, and a chronic absenteeism rate of 10.1% that beats both district and state figures.

With 70% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a predominantly economically disadvantaged population, yet maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 and spends $10,941 per student annually. Year-over-year data shows promising improvements in several upper-grade subjects, including 11th-grade science jumping from 11.43% to 36.36% proficiency and 8th-grade science rising from 18.18% to 45.95%, though small cohort sizes make these trends less statistically reliable. The school's dual role as both an alternative program and primary community school may explain its mixed performance profile—strong early education and attendance outcomes paired with academic challenges in later grades. For parents, this school offers a supportive environment with solid graduation outcomes, but those with older students should be aware of the proficiency gaps that emerge in high school coursework.