Below Average
#1081 of 1,356 schools in AL
Bush Hills Steam Academy
Middle School · Birmingham City
900 16th Street West, Birmingham, AL 35208
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama schools
#1,081 of 1,356
In Birmingham
#42 of 58
public schools
In district
#28 of 42
Birmingham City
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Bush Hills Steam Academy
Middle School in Birmingham · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Princeton School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Holy Family Catholic Academy
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bush Hills Steam Academy
Bush Hills Steam Academy is a public middle school in Birmingham, AL, part of Birmingham City. Bush Hills Steam Academy serves approximately 402 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Bush Hills Steam Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,081 of 1,356 schools in AL.
Structured state assessment records for Bush Hills Steam Academy show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 3.6
- AL avg 5.6
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Bush Hills Steam Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Bush Hills Steam Academy runs 20.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
38% of students at Bush Hills Steam Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bush Hills Steam Academy — Students at Bush Hills Steam Academy score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 22 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.5/10.
How Bush Hills Steam Academy Compares
See how Bush Hills Steam Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
900 16th Street West, Birmingham, AL 35208
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bush Hills Steam Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Richard Arrington Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tuggle Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Legacy Prep (rated 7.6/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton School Birmingham | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Birmingham | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Minor Elementary School Birmingham | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Hemphill Elementary School Birmingham | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Wilkerson Middle School Birmingham | 1.6 mi | 2.2 |
| JacksonOlin High School Birmingham | 1.6 mi | 1.9 |
| EPHESUS ACADEMY Birmingham | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| West End Academy Birmingham | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| BUILD UP Birmingham | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Parker High School Birmingham | 2.1 mi | 2.5 |
| Tuggle Elementary School Birmingham | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Birmingham | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| BUILD UP COMMUNITY SCHOOL Birmingham | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Central Park Elementary School Birmingham | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| South Hampton K8 Birmingham | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Legacy Prep Birmingham | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Washington K8 Birmingham | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Richard Arrington Elementary Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
| HOLY FAMILY CRISTO REY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Charles A Brown Elementary School Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$37,363
Median Home Value
$91,900
Median Rent
$951/mo
Population
13,660
College Educated
16.8%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
23.3%
Median Age
43.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alexander City Middle School Alexander City, AL | 4.8 |
| Anniston Middle School Anniston, AL | 4.8 |
| East Lawrence Middle School Trinity, AL | 4.8 |
| Eclectic Middle School Eclectic, AL | 4.8 |
| i3 Academy Phase 2 Birmingham, AL | 4.8 |
| Stevenson Middle School Stevenson, AL | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bush Hills Steam Academy
What grades does Bush Hills Steam Academy serve?
Bush Hills Steam Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Bush Hills Steam Academy?
Bush Hills Steam Academy has an enrollment of approximately 402 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bush Hills Steam Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Bush Hills Steam Academy is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bush Hills Steam Academy rank in AL?
Bush Hills Steam Academy ranks #1,081 of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Bush Hills Steam Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Bush Hills Steam Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bush Hills Steam Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bush Hills Steam Academy has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).
Is Bush Hills Steam Academy a charter school?
No, Bush Hills Steam Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bush Hills Steam Academy a Title I school?
No, Bush Hills Steam Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bush Hills Steam Academy?
91.5% of students at Bush Hills Steam Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 402
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Jefferson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.3%
- Phone
- (205) 231-6370
Resources & Links
District
Birmingham City- District Enrollment
- 20,884
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,201
- District Rank
- #28 of 42
Other Schools in This District
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