Average
#1063 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
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
402
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Birmingham
#45 of 58
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#160 of 262
In district
#32 of 42
Birmingham City
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Bush Hills Steam Academy
Bush Hills STEAM Academy is a middle school located in Birmingham, Alabama, specifically in Jefferson County. The school serves students in grades 6 through 8, with an enrollment of 402 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.1 to 1. Bush Hills STEAM Academy is a regular public school, with 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to teaching and supporting the students.
The academic performance of Bush Hills STEAM Academy is in the lower percentile among Alabama schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of 1339 out of 1360 schools. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 18%, while the math proficiency rate is 0%. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth.
The school is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $34,669 and a median home value of $86,100. The community has a poverty rate of 28.8%, and about 16% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher. Despite these challenges, Bush Hills STEAM Academy is committed to providing a supportive and nurturing educational environment for its students.
The school is nestled in a vibrant mid-size city, offering a diverse range of resources and community support.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Bush Hills Steam Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Bush Hills Steam Academy is 20.1:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
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: 17%).
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 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Bush Hills Steam Academy Compares
See how Bush Hills Steam Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 8% (2019) to 0.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 18% (2022).
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. South Hampton K8 (rated 8.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charles A Brown Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Princeton School (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 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 | 7.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Birmingham | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Minor Elementary School Birmingham | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Hemphill Elementary School Birmingham | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Wilkerson Middle School Birmingham | 1.6 mi | 3.1 |
| JacksonOlin High School Birmingham | 1.6 mi | 4.6 |
| EPHESUS ACADEMY Birmingham | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| West End Academy Birmingham | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| BUILD UP Birmingham | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Parker High School Birmingham | 2.1 mi | 3.3 |
| Tuggle Elementary School Birmingham | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| 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 | 7.3 |
| South Hampton K8 Birmingham | 2.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Legacy Prep Birmingham | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Washington K8 Birmingham | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Richard Arrington Elementary Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
| HOLY FAMILY CRISTO REY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Charles A Brown Elementary School Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 7.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bush Hills Steam Academy has a median household income of $37,363. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $91,900, with a median rent of $951/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Jr High School of Clay County Lineville, AL | 5.2 |
| Green Acres Middle School Birmingham, AL | 5.2 |
| Kate Duncan Smith DAR Middle Grant, AL | 5.2 |
| Monroeville Middle School Monroeville, AL | 5.2 |
| Ashville Middle School Ashville, AL | 5.3 |
| Booker T Washington Middle School Mobile, AL | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #1063 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Bush Hills Steam Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Bush Hills Steam Academy has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Bush Hills Steam Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bush Hills Steam Academy has 3.0% math proficiency and 14.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,331/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Birmingham). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (205) 231-6370
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Birmingham City- District Enrollment
- 20,884
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,201
- District Rank
- #32 of 42
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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