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Average

#734 of 1,356 schools in AL

Gulf Shores High School

High School · Gulf Shores City

PO Box 3729, Gulf Shores, AL 36547

Enrollment

882

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gulf Shores

#3 of 3

public schools

Alabama high schools

#46 of 308

In district

#3 of 3

Gulf Shores City

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Gulf Shores High School

Gulf Shores High School serves 882 students in grades 9 through 12 in the coastal community of Gulf Shores, Alabama. This public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 with 55 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with reasonably personalized attention in their academic pursuits. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating and ranking #272 out of 1,360 Alabama high schools, placing it in the 80th percentile statewide.

With an academic score of 7.5 out of 10, Gulf Shores High School shows particular strength in preparing students for their post-secondary goals. Academic assessment results show 47% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 42% achieve proficiency in Mathematics, indicating steady progress with continued opportunities for growth in core subject areas. Located in Baldwin County, Gulf Shores High School operates in a rural setting near the town, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community environment while being part of Alabama's famous Gulf Coast region.

The school's location provides students with unique opportunities to connect their education with the distinctive character and natural resources of coastal Alabama.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Gulf Shores 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 Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,463

Gulf Shores High School — Students at Gulf Shores High School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
47%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Gulf Shores High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
46th percentile in AL
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

PO Box 3729, Gulf Shores, AL 36547

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gulf Shores High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Elberta High School (rated 5.9/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Elberta), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Foley High School (rated 4.6/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Foley), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gulf Shores, see our Gulf Shores schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Gulf Shores Middle School Gulf Shores 0.2 mi 7.2
Gulf Shores Elementary School Gulf Shores 0.3 mi 8.8
SOUTH BALDWIN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gulf Shores 3.9 mi 5.9
Orange Beach MiddleHigh School Orange Beach 3.7 mi
Swift Elementary School Bon Secour 4.5 mi 5.4
Foley High School Foley 7.8 mi 4.6
Florence B Mathis Elementary Foley 8.1 mi 6.6
Orange Beach Elementary School Orange Beach 7.3 mi 9.9
SMALL STEPS LEARNING CENTER Foley 8.5 mi
Foley Middle School Foley 9.6 mi 5.2
Foley Elementary School Foley 9.7 mi 7.2
BEREAN BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Elberta 10.5 mi
ST BENEDICT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Elberta 10.8 mi 7.9
Magnolia School Foley 11.2 mi 7.6
Elberta High School Elberta 11.4 mi 5.9
Elberta Middle School Elberta 11.4 mi 9.1
Elberta Elementary School Elberta 11.3 mi 7.2
SNOOK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Foley 13.1 mi 5.6
SNOOK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Foley 13.1 mi 4.9
Summerdale School Summerdale 15.2 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 36547 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Population

0

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cullman High School Cullman, AL 6.4
Douglas High School Douglas, AL 6.4
Russellville High School Russellville, AL 6.4
Central High School Tuscaloosa, AL 6.5
Arab High School Arab, AL 6.3
Shades Valley High School Irondale, AL 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gulf Shores High School

What grades does Gulf Shores High School serve?

Gulf Shores High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Gulf Shores High School?

Gulf Shores High School has an enrollment of approximately 882 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gulf Shores High School?

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

How does Gulf Shores High School rank in AL?

Gulf Shores High School is ranked #734 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Gulf Shores High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gulf Shores 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 Gulf Shores High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gulf Shores High School has 42.0% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gulf Shores High School a charter school?

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

Is Gulf Shores High School a Title I school?

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

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

41.6% of students at Gulf Shores 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

City Safety
High (2,079/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gulf Shores). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
882
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Baldwin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gulf Shores City
District Enrollment
2,644
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,300
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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