Best Schools in Irondale, Alabama
5 schools · 1 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Irondale?
Use this page to compare every school in Irondale 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.
We Putnam Middle Schoolmagnet
Middle · Birmingham City. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Irondale Middle School
Middle · Jefferson County. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Shades Valley High School
High · Jefferson County. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Irondale for 2026 are We Putnam Middle Schoolmagnet (5.3/10), Irondale Middle School (5.1/10), and Shades Valley High School (4.5/10), 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
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$247,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$247,600
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Irondale
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 rated schools; 5 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | We Putnam Middle Schoolmagnet | 5.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Irondale Middle School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Shades Valley High School | 4.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Irondale Community School | 4.1 / 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $72,632
- Median home value
- $247,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Irondale compares
Alabama rank
#146 of 179
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Alabama avg (6.3)
Median household income
$73k
121% of Alabama median
Schools in this city
5
Jefferson County runs 75% of Irondale's public schools
Irondale touches 2 districts, but Jefferson County is the one most addresses actually attend.
Jefferson County accounts for 3 of 4 public schools (75%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 4 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.1 to 5.3 — the spread is inside Irondale, not a citywide average.
- Jefferson County3 public · 75%
- Birmingham City1 public · 25%
About Schools in Irondale, Alabama
Irondale, Alabama is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Irondale show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Irondale is Jefferson Christian Academy with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Irondale is served by 2 school districts: Birmingham City, Jefferson County. These districts collectively serve 56,555 students.
Irondale's community shows 46% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $72,632. The poverty rate in the area is 8.3%.
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 | 458 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.1 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 201 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
| 2 | 471 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,122 students · 9th–12th | 4.5 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jefferson Christian AcademyPrivate 158 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Irondale
Irondale, Alabama · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$72,632
Median Home Value
$247,600
Median Rent
$1,164/mo
Population
13,878
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Community Profile
Irondale has a median household income of $72,632. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,600, with a median rent of $1,164/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Alabama
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Irondale, Alabama
How many schools are in Irondale, Alabama?
Irondale has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Irondale, Alabama?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Irondale is 5.5 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 Irondale, Alabama?
The top-ranked school in Irondale on MySchoolScout is We Putnam Middle Schoolmagnet with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Irondale, Alabama?
The top-ranked elementary school in Irondale on MySchoolScout is Irondale Community School with a composite score of 4.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Irondale, Alabama?
The top-ranked middle school in Irondale on MySchoolScout is We Putnam Middle Schoolmagnet with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best high school in Irondale, Alabama?
The top-ranked high school in Irondale on MySchoolScout is Shades Valley High School with a composite score of 4.5/10.
How many school districts serve Irondale, Alabama?
Irondale is served by 2 school districts: Birmingham City, Jefferson County.
What is the education level in Irondale, Alabama?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Irondale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Irondale, Alabama?
The median household income in Irondale is approximately $72,632 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Irondale, Alabama?
Yes, Irondale has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Jefferson Christian Academy with a score of 8.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Irondale, Alabama?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Irondale is 14.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Irondale, 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.
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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.