Skip to main content

Below Average

#1171 of 1,356 schools in AL

Athens High School

High School · Athens City

PO Box 109, Athens, AL 35612

Enrollment

1,228

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Athens

#10 of 14

public schools

Alabama high schools

#198 of 308

In district

#6 of 8

Athens City

About Athens High School

Athens High School serves 1,228 students in grades 9-12 in Athens, Alabama, operating as a regular public school in Limestone County. With 69 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, providing reasonable access to educator support for its sizable student body. Academically, Athens High School ranks in the middle tier of Alabama high schools, placing 653rd out of 1,360 schools statewide, which puts it in the 52nd percentile.

The school receives a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10, with an academic score of 5.9 out of 10. Current performance data shows 34% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 35% reach proficiency standards in mathematics, indicating areas with room for academic growth. The school's substantial enrollment of over 1,200 students suggests it serves as a significant educational hub for the local community, offering the resources and opportunities that often come with larger high school programs.

Athens High School is situated in a town setting on the fringe of an urban area, providing students with a blend of small-town community feel while maintaining access to broader metropolitan resources and opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness5.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,655

Athens High School — Students at Athens High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
55%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
35%
ELA
34%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Athens High School Compares

See how Athens High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
14th percentile in AL
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers

Location

PO Box 109, Athens, AL 35612

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Athens High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East Limestone High School (rated 5.2/10, 6.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Tanner High School (rated 5.1/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Tanner), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Elkmont High School (rated 4.6/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Elkmont), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Athens, see our Athens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.6 mi
School Distance Rating
ATHENS BIBLE SCHOOL Athens 0.2 mi 6.6
Athens Middle School Athens 0.6 mi 4.9
Athens Renaissance School Athens 1.2 mi 4.2
Athens Elementary School Athens 1.4 mi 8.6
Julian Newman Elementary School Athens 1.5 mi 7.4
LINDSAY LANE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Athens 2.0 mi 5.2
Brookhill Elementary School Athens 2.2 mi 8.6
James L Cowart Elementary School Athens 2.5 mi 4.3
Piney Chapel Elementary School Athens 3.2 mi 6.1
Athens Intermediate School Athens 3.0 mi 6.9
Tanner Elementary School Tanner 5.7 mi 5.5
Tanner High School Tanner 5.7 mi 5.1
Alabama Connections Academy Athens 6.2 mi 3.6
Elkmont Elementary School Elkmont 8.2 mi 7.0
East Limestone High School Athens 6.9 mi 5.2
Elkmont High School Elkmont 8.3 mi 4.6
Johnson Elementary School Athens 7.4 mi 7.4
Creekside Primary School Harvest 8.8 mi 7.8
Creekside Elementary School Harvest 8.8 mi 7.0
Endeavor Elementary School Harvest 9.6 mi 8.0

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Park Crossing High School Montgomery, AL 4.7
Smiths Station High School Smiths Station, AL 4.7
Bessemer City High School Bessemer, AL 4.8
Robertsdale High School Robertsdale, AL 4.8
Foley High School Foley, AL 4.6
Hueytown High School Hueytown, AL 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Athens High School

What grades does Athens High School serve?

Athens High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Athens High School?

Athens High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,228 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Athens High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Athens High School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Athens High School rank in AL?

Athens High School is ranked #1171 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Athens High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Athens High School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Athens High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Athens High School has 39.7% math proficiency and 40.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Athens High School a charter school?

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

Is Athens High School a Title I school?

No, Athens High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Athens High School?

51.9% of students at Athens High 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
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,316/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Athens). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,228
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
69
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Limestone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Athens City
District Enrollment
5,034
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,561
District Rank
#6 of 8

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

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.