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Excellent

#111 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 8% in state

Inverness Elementary School

Elementary School · Shelby County

5251 Valleydale Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242

Enrollment

563

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Birmingham

#2 of 58

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#109 of 696

In district

#3 of 29

Shelby County

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Inverness Elementary School

Inverness Elementary School is a regular public school in Birmingham, Alabama, serving students from pre-K through third grade. With 563 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1, the school operates at a scale that keeps early classrooms accessible. The school earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — with a 9.2 academic score and a standout 9.6 growth score.

Growth is the highest of the three subscores. Inverness ranks #1 among all 58 public schools in Birmingham and sits in the top 4% statewide, outperforming 96% of Alabama's 1,356 public schools. For families weighing elementary options in the area, those rankings are high-signal.

A #1 city rank means Inverness leads Birmingham's entire public school field — not just schools in its tier or grade band. Widening the lens to Alabama's 696 public elementary schools, it holds at #49, confirming that performance stands up at the state level as well. Parents comparing schools for pre-K through third grade will find a consistent record of strong academic and growth outcomes across a 563-student enrollment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency90.8%
Reading vs. State Avg+8 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+12.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,436
Chronic Absenteeism9.8%

Inverness Elementary School — Students at Inverness Elementary School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 70.6%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 72.8%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2024
ELA
90.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.

How Inverness Elementary School Compares

See how Inverness Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
92th percentile in AL
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
9.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5251 Valleydale Rd, Birmingham, AL 35242

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Inverness Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Greystone Elementary School (rated 9.6/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (rated 9.6/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Vestavia Hills), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Brookwood Forest Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Mountain Brk), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Spain Park High School Hoover 2.0 mi 8.0
Berry Middle School Hoover 2.0 mi 8.1
ESSENTIAL CHURCH SCHOOL Birmingham 2.2 mi 3.4
GODS HOUSE KINDERGARTEN AND DAY CARE Birmingham 2.4 mi
Oak Mountain Middle School Birmingham 2.8 mi 6.9
Greystone Elementary School Hoover 2.5 mi 9.6
Oak Mountain Elementary School Birmingham 2.9 mi 8.9
Oak Mountain High School Birmingham 3.5 mi 7.0
Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights Vestavia Hills 3.6 mi 9.3
Oak Mountain Intermediate School Birmingham 3.7 mi 8.7
JOSEPH S BRUNO MONTESSORI ACADEMY Birmingham 3.8 mi 8.6
OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY SCHOOL Birmingham 4.0 mi 5.9
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge Vestavia Hills 3.8 mi 9.6
Rocky Ridge Elementary School Hoover 3.8 mi 9.1
Mt Laurel Elementary School Birmingham 4.1 mi 9.1
HILLTOP MONTESSORI SCHOOL Birmingham 4.2 mi 7.8
Brookwood Forest Elementary School Mountain Brk 5.0 mi 9.4
Liberty Park Middle School Vestavia 5.0 mi 8.9
Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park Vestavia 5.1 mi 9.4
Chelsea High School Chelsea 5.4 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35242 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$116,053

Median Home Value

$452,300

Median Rent

$1,430/mo

Population

56,956

College Educated

64.5%

Homeownership

73.2%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

42.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Inverness Elementary School has a median household income of $116,053. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $452,300, with a median rent of $1,430/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Coosa Valley Elementary School Cropwell, AL 9.0
Green Valley Elementary School Hoover, AL 9.0
John S Jones Elementary School Rainbow City, AL 9.0
Little Ridge Intermediate School Fort Payne, AL 9.0
Memorial Park Elementary School Jasper, AL 9.0
Mt Carmel Elementary School Huntsville, AL 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Inverness Elementary School

What grades does Inverness Elementary School serve?

Inverness Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Inverness Elementary School?

Inverness Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 563 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Inverness Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Inverness Elementary School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Inverness Elementary School rank in AL?

Inverness Elementary School is ranked #111 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Inverness Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Inverness Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Inverness Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Inverness Elementary School has 70.6% math proficiency and 72.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Inverness Elementary School a charter school?

No, Inverness Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Inverness Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Inverness Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Inverness Elementary School?

32.3% of students at Inverness Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
563
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Shelby County
Chronic Absenteeism
9.8%
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Shelby County
District Enrollment
20,937
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,436
District Rank
#3 of 29

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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