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Needs Improvement

#1346 of 1,356 schools in AL

Jb Pennington High School

High School · Blount County

81 College St, Blountsville, AL 35031

Enrollment

525

Student-Teacher

20.2:1

Score

3.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Blountsville

#4 of 4

public schools

Alabama high schools

#300 of 308

In district

#14 of 14

Blount County

About Jb Pennington High School

JB Pennington High School is a regular public high school located in Blountsville, Alabama, in a rural setting. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade, with an enrollment of 525 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1. The school has 26 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring a supportive learning environment.

JB Pennington High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks 1089 out of 1360 high schools in Alabama. The school's academic performance shows that 33% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 13% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth.

Blountsville, the town where JB Pennington High School is situated, has a median household income of $55,583 and a median home value of $131,600. About 17% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 16.2%. The school is deeply rooted in a close-knit community that values education and supports its students.

JB Pennington High School is part of a rural area that offers a tight-knit community setting, making it a unique environment for students to grow and develop.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Jb Pennington High School is 20.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Jb Pennington 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 Progress3.3Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33%
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College Readiness2.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,779

Jb Pennington High School — Students at Jb Pennington High School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.3%
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
38%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
13%
ELA
33%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Jb Pennington High School Compares

See how Jb Pennington High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
1th percentile in AL
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

81 College St, Blountsville, AL 35031

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jb Pennington High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Oneonta High School (rated 6.5/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Oneonta), which scores notably higher. Another option is Susan Moore High School (rated 5.5/10, 9.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Holly Pond High School (rated 5.2/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Holly Pond), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Blountsville, see our Blountsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Blountsville Elementary School Blountsville 0.2 mi 7.1
Cleveland Elementary School Cleveland 6.4 mi 8.1
Cleveland High School Cleveland 6.5 mi 3.9
Holly Pond Elementary School Holly Pond 6.5 mi 5.4
Holly Pond High School Holly Pond 6.5 mi 5.2
Susan Moore High School Blountsville 9.1 mi 5.5
Susan Moore Elementary School Blountsville 9.1 mi 6.3
MT PLEASANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Blountsville 9.1 mi 5.6
Welti Elementary School Cullman 9.5 mi 6.1
Hanceville High School Hanceville 10.0 mi 4.0
Hanceville Middle School Hanceville 10.0 mi 5.6
Hanceville Elementary School Hanceville 10.1 mi 7.1
Oneonta Elementary School Oneonta 11.7 mi 8.1
Oneonta High School Oneonta 11.7 mi 6.5
Oneonta Middle School Oneonta 11.7 mi 6.4
Locust Fork High School Locust Fork 12.4 mi 4.8
Locust Fork Elementary Locust Fork 12.5 mi 8.7
Parkside Elementary School Baileyton 12.7 mi 6.5
Fairview High School Cullman 13.0 mi 3.1
Fairview Middle School Cullman 13.0 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35031 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,036

Median Home Value

$135,100

Median Rent

$771/mo

Population

7,937

College Educated

15.9%

Homeownership

75.7%

Avg Commute

36.1 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

36.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jb Pennington High School has a median household income of $54,036. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,100, with a median rent of $771/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fairview High School Cullman, AL 3.1
Hamilton High School Hamilton, AL 3.1
Sipsey Valley High School Buhl, AL 3.1
Ashville High School Ashville, AL 3.3
Madison County Virtual Academy Huntsville, AL 2.9
Northside High School Northport, AL 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jb Pennington High School

What grades does Jb Pennington High School serve?

Jb Pennington High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Jb Pennington High School?

Jb Pennington High School has an enrollment of approximately 525 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jb Pennington High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Jb Pennington High School is 20.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jb Pennington High School rank in AL?

Jb Pennington High School is ranked #1346 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Jb Pennington High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jb Pennington High School has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Jb Pennington High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jb Pennington High School has 22.0% math proficiency and 38.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jb Pennington High School a charter school?

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

Is Jb Pennington High School a Title I school?

No, Jb Pennington High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jb Pennington High School?

64.8% of students at Jb Pennington 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

County Safety
Average (644/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Blount County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Blount County
District Enrollment
7,706
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,462
District Rank
#14 of 14

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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