Average
#821 of 1,356 schools in AL
Chelsea Middle School
Middle School · Shelby County
2321 Highway 39, Chelsea, AL 35043
Enrollment
857
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
857
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chelsea
#4 of 4
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#77 of 262
In district
#20 of 29
Shelby County
Equity
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Chelsea Middle School
Chelsea Middle School serves 857 students in grades 6 through 8 in Chelsea, Alabama, maintaining a comfortable student-teacher ratio of 17.5 to 1 with 49 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned a strong reputation with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #201 out of 1,360 Alabama schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide. Academically, Chelsea Middle School demonstrates solid performance with an impressive academic score of 8.8 out of 10.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 68% achieving proficient or above levels across all grade levels. Mathematics performance shows room for growth, with 44% of students reaching proficiency standards. The school draws from a well-established community where families value education, reflected in the area's 44% college graduation rate and median household income of $106,660.
With a low poverty rate of just 3.4% and median home values around $301,200, the surrounding neighborhood of 14,564 residents provides a stable foundation for student learning. Located on Highway 39, Chelsea Middle School sits in a rural setting near the town of Chelsea in Shelby County, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to broader educational resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Chelsea Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Chelsea Middle School — Students at Chelsea Middle School score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.5%
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
↓ 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: 5.3/10.
How Chelsea Middle School Compares
See how Chelsea Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 44% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 60% (2019) to 68% (2022).
Location
2321 Highway 39, Chelsea, AL 35043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chelsea Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Berry Middle School (rated 7.3/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oak Mountain Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Birmingham), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Chelsea, see our Chelsea schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Oaks Elementary School Chelsea | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Chelsea High School Chelsea | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Chelsea Park Elementary School Chelsea | 3.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Mt Laurel Elementary School Birmingham | 4.7 mi | 8.1 |
| ESSENTIAL CHURCH SCHOOL Birmingham | 4.9 mi | 3.4 |
| HILLTOP MONTESSORI SCHOOL Birmingham | 5.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Greystone Elementary School Hoover | 5.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Oak Mountain Middle School Birmingham | 5.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Oak Mountain Elementary School Birmingham | 5.1 mi | 8.4 |
| JOSEPH S BRUNO MONTESSORI ACADEMY Birmingham | 5.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Inverness Elementary School Birmingham | 6.4 mi | 9.0 |
| OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY SCHOOL Birmingham | 6.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Oak Mountain High School Birmingham | 6.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Oak Mountain Intermediate School Birmingham | 6.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Spain Park High School Hoover | 6.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Berry Middle School Hoover | 7.0 mi | 7.3 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Columbiana | 8.4 mi | 6.4 |
| ARDENT PRESCHOOL & DAYCARE Hoover | 8.0 mi | — |
| GODS HOUSE KINDERGARTEN AND DAY CARE Birmingham | 8.6 mi | — |
| ALLAN COTT SCHOOL Birmingham | 10.1 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Discovery Middle School Madison, AL | 6.2 |
| Saraland Middle SchoolAdams Campus Saraland, AL | 6.2 |
| Hartselle Junior High School Hartselle, AL | 6.3 |
| Northridge Middle School Tuscaloosa, AL | 6.3 |
| Pike Road Intermediate School Pike Road, AL | 6.3 |
| Williams Middle School Huntsville, AL | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chelsea Middle School
What grades does Chelsea Middle School serve?
Chelsea Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Chelsea Middle School?
Chelsea Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 857 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chelsea Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Chelsea Middle School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chelsea Middle School rank in AL?
Chelsea Middle School is ranked #821 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Chelsea Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Chelsea Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Chelsea Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chelsea Middle School has 45.0% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Chelsea Middle School a charter school?
No, Chelsea Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chelsea Middle School a Title I school?
No, Chelsea Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chelsea Middle School?
28.5% of students at Chelsea Middle 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (45/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 857
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Shelby County
- Phone
- (205) 682-7210
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Shelby County- District Enrollment
- 20,937
- Schools in District
- 33
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,436
- District Rank
- #20 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 methodologyRelated reading
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