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Average

#767 of 1,356 schools in AL

Chelsea High School

High School · Shelby County

PO Box 639, Chelsea, AL 35043

Enrollment

1,291

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Chelsea

#3 of 4

public schools

Alabama high schools

#53 of 308

In district

#18 of 29

Shelby County

About Chelsea High School

Chelsea High School serves 1,291 students in grades 9-12 in Chelsea, Alabama, located in Shelby County. With 76 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 17:1 student-teacher ratio, providing solid opportunities for individualized attention in the classroom. Academically, Chelsea High School holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #445 out of 1,360 schools statewide, placing it in the 67th percentile among Alabama high schools.

The school demonstrates steady performance with 42% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 41% reach proficiency in Mathematics. These results reflect a school with room for continued academic growth as it works to support all students in reaching their potential. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $106,660 and home values average $301,200.

With 44% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a notably low poverty rate of just 3.4%, students benefit from strong community resources and family support systems. Chelsea High School sits in a rural setting near the town of Chelsea, offering students the advantages of small-town community connections while remaining accessible to the greater Birmingham metropolitan area's opportunities and resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Chelsea High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-23.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation39.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,253

Chelsea High School — Students at Chelsea High School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
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
59%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
42%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Chelsea High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
44th percentile in AL
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
76 teachers

Location

PO Box 639, Chelsea, AL 35043

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chelsea High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Oak Mountain High School (rated 6.4/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Birmingham), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Spain Park High School (rated 6.3/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Hoover), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chelsea, see our Chelsea schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Chelsea Middle School Chelsea 2.6 mi 6.2
Oak Mountain Middle School Birmingham 3.1 mi 5.6
Oak Mountain Elementary School Birmingham 3.1 mi 8.4
Forest Oaks Elementary School Chelsea 3.0 mi 7.8
JOSEPH S BRUNO MONTESSORI ACADEMY Birmingham 3.5 mi 8.6
OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY SCHOOL Birmingham 3.6 mi 5.9
Oak Mountain Intermediate School Birmingham 3.8 mi 7.6
Oak Mountain High School Birmingham 3.8 mi 6.4
ESSENTIAL CHURCH SCHOOL Birmingham 4.7 mi 3.4
Spain Park High School Hoover 4.9 mi 6.3
Inverness Elementary School Birmingham 5.4 mi 9.0
Berry Middle School Hoover 5.2 mi 7.3
Greystone Elementary School Hoover 5.6 mi 9.0
Mt Laurel Elementary School Birmingham 5.6 mi 8.1
ARDENT PRESCHOOL & DAYCARE Hoover 5.5 mi
HILLTOP MONTESSORI SCHOOL Birmingham 6.2 mi 7.8
Chelsea Park Elementary School Chelsea 5.9 mi 7.2
Linda Nolen Learning Center Pelham 6.1 mi 6.6
GODS HOUSE KINDERGARTEN AND DAY CARE Birmingham 7.2 mi
Pelham Oaks Pelham 6.5 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$115,588

Median Home Value

$347,500

Median Rent

$1,279/mo

Population

15,068

College Educated

42.9%

Homeownership

90.7%

Avg Commute

34.3 min

Poverty Rate

4%

Median Age

39.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Chelsea High School has a median household income of $115,588. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,500, with a median rent of $1,279/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Cullman High School Cullman, AL 6.4
Gulf Shores High School Gulf Shores, AL 6.4
Huntsville High School Huntsville, AL 6.4
Oak Mountain High School Birmingham, AL 6.4
Russellville High School Russellville, AL 6.4
Central High School Tuscaloosa, AL 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chelsea High School

What grades does Chelsea High School serve?

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

How many students attend Chelsea High School?

Chelsea High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,291 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Chelsea High School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chelsea High School rank in AL?

Chelsea High School is ranked #767 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Chelsea High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chelsea High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Chelsea High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chelsea High School has 47.7% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Chelsea High School a charter school?

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

Is Chelsea High School a Title I school?

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

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

24.4% of students at Chelsea 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (45/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,291
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
76
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Shelby County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Shelby County
District Enrollment
20,937
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,436
District Rank
#18 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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