Very Good
#376 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 28% in state
Ira F Simmons Middle School
Middle School · Hoover City
1575 Patton Chapel Road, Hoover, AL 35226
Enrollment
865
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
865
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hoover
#12 of 16
public schools
Alabama middle schools
#13 of 262
In district
#12 of 16
Hoover City
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Ira F Simmons Middle School
Ira F Simmons Middle School serves 865 students in grades 6-8 in Hoover, Alabama, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranking 79th out of 1,360 Alabama schools, the school places in the 94th percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio with 63 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with strong instructional support.
Academically, Ira F Simmons demonstrates solid performance with 65% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading across all grades. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 45% of students achieving proficiency or above. The school draws families from Jefferson County's affluent 35226 zip code area, where the median household income reaches $121,975 and 68% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
This educated community, with a low 5.2% poverty rate and median home values of $366,300, creates a supportive environment for student achievement. Located at 1575 Patton Chapel Road, Ira F Simmons Middle School operates in Hoover's large suburban setting, serving families in one of Alabama's most prosperous and well-educated communities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Ira F Simmons Middle School — Students at Ira F Simmons Middle School score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.9%
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 Ira F Simmons Middle School Compares
See how Ira F Simmons Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 45% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 65% (2022).
Location
1575 Patton Chapel Road, Hoover, AL 35226
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ira F Simmons Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pizitz Middle School (rated 8.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Vestavia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Robert F Bumpus Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 4.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hoover, see our Hoover schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gwin Elementary School Hoover | 0.1 mi | 9.4 |
| GREEN VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH Hoover | 1.0 mi | — |
| Green Valley Elementary School Hoover | 1.5 mi | 9.4 |
| Bluff Park Elementary School Hoover | 1.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Riverchase Elementary School Hoover | 2.3 mi | 9.2 |
| HOOVER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hoover | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| RIVERCHASE UNITED METHODIST DAY SCHOOL Hoover | 2.5 mi | — |
| Shades Mountain Elementary School Hoover | 2.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Deer Valley Elementary School Hoover | 2.6 mi | 8.9 |
| ST MARK UNITED METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Birmingham | 2.7 mi | — |
| Pizitz Middle School Vestavia | 2.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Hoover High School Hoover | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Trace Crossings Elementary School Hoover | 3.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus Vestavia Hills | 3.2 mi | 6.9 |
| JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Oxmoor K5 Birmingham | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
| SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL Birmingham | 3.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Robert F Bumpus Middle School Hoover | 4.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Vestavia Hills High School Vestavia | 3.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Vestavia Hills Elementary West Vestavia | 4.0 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35226 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$126,053
Median Home Value
$387,100
Median Rent
$1,467/mo
Population
37,693
College Educated
68.9%
Homeownership
82.9%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
5.7%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ira F Simmons Middle School has a median household income of $126,053. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $387,100, with a median rent of $1,467/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairhope Middle School Fairhope, AL | 7.4 |
| Homewood Middle School Homewood, AL | 7.4 |
| Mountain Brook Junior High School Mountain Brk, AL | 7.4 |
| Berry Middle School Hoover, AL | 7.3 |
| Fort Payne Middle School Fort Payne, AL | 7.3 |
| Hartselle Intermediate School Hartselle, AL | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ira F Simmons Middle School
What grades does Ira F Simmons Middle School serve?
Ira F Simmons Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ira F Simmons Middle School?
Ira F Simmons Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 865 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ira F Simmons Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ira F Simmons Middle School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ira F Simmons Middle School rank in AL?
Ira F Simmons Middle School is ranked #376 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Ira F Simmons Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ira F Simmons Middle School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Ira F Simmons Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ira F Simmons Middle School has 47.7% math proficiency and 61.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ira F Simmons Middle School a charter school?
No, Ira F Simmons Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ira F Simmons Middle School a Title I school?
No, Ira F Simmons Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ira F Simmons Middle School?
45.9% of students at Ira F Simmons 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hoover). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 865
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (205) 439-2100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hoover City- District Enrollment
- 13,524
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,273
- District Rank
- #12 of 16
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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