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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68%
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected-6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment5.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,253

Chelsea Middle School — Students at Chelsea Middle School score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.7%
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
65%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
63%
2022
Math
44%
ELA
68%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.2/10
40th percentile in AL
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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