Very Good
#256 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 19% in state
J F Shields High School
School · Monroe County
17688 Highway 21 N, Beatrice, AL 36425
Enrollment
202
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
202
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama schools
#8 of 90
In district
#2 of 7
Monroe County
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About J F Shields High School
J F Shields High School is a regular public school located in Beatrice, Alabama, in the rural Monroe County. Serving a diverse range of students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, the school has an enrollment of 202 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1, ensuring a relatively personalized educational experience. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide individual attention and support to every student.
The school's academic performance, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and state ranking of 25th percentile, suggests areas for improvement. In particular, the ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 17%, while the Math proficiency rate is at 8%. These scores reflect the school's focus on student development and suggest that there is room for academic growth and improvement.
The school is situated in a remote rural area, within a neighborhood characterized by a median household income of $33,281 and a poverty rate of 29.6%. The population of the area is 719, with only 10% having a bachelor's degree or higher. Despite these challenges, J F Shields High School remains committed to providing a supportive and nurturing environment for its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at J F Shields High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, J F Shields 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 metricsView breakdown
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J F Shields High School — Students at J F Shields High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 7 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How J F Shields High School Compares
See how J F Shields High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
17688 Highway 21 N, Beatrice, AL 36425
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J F Shields High School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Georgiana School (rated 6.9/10, 28.5 miles away, in nearby Georgiana), with a comparable rating. Another option is WILCOX ACADEMY (rated 5.9/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Camden), a more accessible option. Additionally, Excel High School (rated 5.3/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Excel), a more accessible option. For more schools in Beatrice, see our Beatrice schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 33.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Monroeville Elementary School Monroeville | 16.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Monroeville Middle School Monroeville | 16.4 mi | 5.2 |
| CAMDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Camden | 18.3 mi | — |
| J E Hobbs Elementary School Camden | 18.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Camden School Of Arts Technology Camden | 19.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Lyeffion Junior High School Evergreen | 18.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Monroe County High School Monroeville | 19.0 mi | 4.7 |
| WILCOX ACADEMY Camden | 19.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Monroe Intermediate School Lower Peach Tree | 17.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Wilcox Central High School Camden | 20.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Repton Junior High School Repton | 22.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Excel High School Excel | 22.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Evergreen Elementary School Evergreen | 24.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Thurgood Marshall Middle School Evergreen | 25.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Hillcrest High School Evergreen | 25.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Genesis Innovative School Evergreen | 25.9 mi | 5.1 |
| F S Ervin Elementary School Pine Hill | 28.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Conecuh County Junior High School Castleberry | 31.7 mi | 9.3 |
| Georgiana School Georgiana | 28.5 mi | 6.9 |
| ABC Elementary Alberta | 33.5 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36425 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$36,295
Median Home Value
$82,200
Population
746
College Educated
12.1%
Homeownership
71.7%
Poverty Rate
20.9%
Median Age
52.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding J F Shields High School has a median household income of $36,295. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $82,200. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Franklin Junior High School Phil Campbell, AL | 7.9 |
| SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL Birmingham, AL | 8.0 |
| Marengo High School Dixons Mills, AL | 7.8 |
| SHOALS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florence, AL | 7.8 |
| Lloyd Wood Education Center Northport, AL | 7.7 |
| ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF ALABAMA Birmingham, AL | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J F Shields High School
What grades does J F Shields High School serve?
J F Shields High School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend J F Shields High School?
J F Shields High School has an enrollment of approximately 202 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J F Shields High School?
The student-teacher ratio at J F Shields High School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J F Shields High School rank in AL?
J F Shields High School is ranked #256 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is J F Shields High School's MySchoolScout rating?
J F Shields High School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 J F Shields High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J F Shields High School has 9.0% math proficiency and 30.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J F Shields High School a charter school?
No, J F Shields High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J F Shields High School a Title I school?
No, J F Shields High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J F Shields High School?
94.6% of students at J F Shields 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 202
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Monroe County
- Phone
- (251) 789-2168
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Monroe County- District Enrollment
- 3,031
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,365
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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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