Best Schools in Gulf Shores, Alabama
4 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Gulf Shores?
Use this page to compare every school in Gulf Shores by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Gulf Shores Elementary School
Elementary · Gulf Shores City. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Gulf Shores Middle School
Middle · Gulf Shores City. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Gulf Shores High School
High · Gulf Shores City. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Gulf Shores for 2026 are Gulf Shores Elementary School (9.3/10), Gulf Shores Middle School (7.6/10), and Gulf Shores High School (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$366,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
3 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$366,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Gulf Shores
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gulf Shores Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Gulf Shores Middle School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Gulf Shores High School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | South Baldwin Christian Academy | 5.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $74,861
- Median home value
- $366,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
75% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Gulf Shores compares
Alabama rank
#18 of 179
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.1
above Alabama avg (6.4)
Median household income
$75k
125% of Alabama median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Gulf Shores, Alabama is home to 4 schools, including 3 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.5 out of 10, schools in Gulf Shores perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Gulf Shores is Gulf Shores Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Gulf Shores is served by 1 school district: Gulf Shores City. These districts collectively serve 2,644 students.
Gulf Shores's community shows 38% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $74,861. The poverty rate in the area is 10.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,162 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 600 students · 6th–8th | 7.6 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 882 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Baldwin Christian Academy
Private
154 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.8 |
Schools in Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores, Alabama · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$74,861
Median Home Value
$366,600
Median Rent
$1,365/mo
Population
17,335
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
10.6%
Community Profile
Gulf Shores has a median household income of $74,861. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $366,600, with a median rent of $1,365/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Alabama
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Alabama
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Gulf Shores, Alabama
How many schools are in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
Gulf Shores has 4 schools, including 3 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Gulf Shores is 7.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
The top-ranked school in Gulf Shores on MySchoolScout is Gulf Shores Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
The top-ranked elementary school in Gulf Shores on MySchoolScout is Gulf Shores Elementary School with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
The top-ranked middle school in Gulf Shores on MySchoolScout is Gulf Shores Middle School with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best high school in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
The top-ranked high school in Gulf Shores on MySchoolScout is Gulf Shores High School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Gulf Shores, Alabama?
Gulf Shores is served by 1 school district: Gulf Shores City.
What is the education level in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
According to Census data, 38% of adults in Gulf Shores have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
The median household income in Gulf Shores is approximately $74,861 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
Yes, Gulf Shores has 1 private school alongside 3 public schools. The top-rated private school is South Baldwin Christian Academy with a score of 5.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Gulf Shores is 16.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Alabama Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.