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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+4.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Reading vs. State Avg-74 pts
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,660

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 9.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.0%
School
State
91.0%

Based on 7 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2024
ELA
83.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.9/10
81th percentile in AL
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Monroe County
District Enrollment
3,031
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,365
District Rank
#2 of 7

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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