Below Average
#1288 of 1,356 schools in AL
Muscle Shoals High School
High School · Muscle Shoals City
1900 Avalon Ave, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
Enrollment
874
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
874
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Muscle Shoals
#6 of 6
public schools
Alabama high schools
#258 of 308
In district
#6 of 6
Muscle Shoals City
About Muscle Shoals High School
Muscle Shoals High School serves 874 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.3:1 with 43 full-time equivalent teachers providing instruction across the high school years. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 37% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 38% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.
The school ranks #692 out of 1,360 high schools statewide, placing it in the 49th percentile among Alabama schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and an academic score of 6.5 out of 10, Muscle Shoals High School is focusing on student development and improving educational outcomes. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $68,659 and the median home value is $176,600.
About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.5%. Located on Avalon Avenue in this small city of nearly 19,000 residents in Colbert County, Muscle Shoals High School serves families in a community known for its musical heritage and close-knit atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Muscle Shoals High School is 20.3:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
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Muscle Shoals High School — Students at Muscle Shoals High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
39.9%
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: 1.5/10.
How Muscle Shoals High School Compares
See how Muscle Shoals High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 38% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
1900 Avalon Ave, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Muscle Shoals High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Colbert Heights High School (rated 6.5/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Tuscumbia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sheffield High School (rated 5.4/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Sheffield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Deshler High School (rated 4.8/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Tuscumbia), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Muscle Shoals, see our Muscle Shoals schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Shoals Middle School Muscle Shoals | 0.2 mi | 6.7 |
| McBride Elementary School Muscle Shoals | 0.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Howell Graves Preschool Muscle Shoals | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Highland Park Elementary School Muscle Shoals | 0.9 mi | 9.5 |
| Webster Elementary School Muscle Shoals | 1.8 mi | 9.6 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tuscumbia | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Deshler Middle School Tuscumbia | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Sheffield Junior High School Sheffield | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Sheffield High School Sheffield | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
| G W Trenholm Primary School Tuscumbia | 3.1 mi | 8.1 |
| WA Threadgill Primary School Sheffield | 3.1 mi | 9.6 |
| L E Willson Elementary School Sheffield | 3.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Deshler High School Tuscumbia | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| ST JOSEPH REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Florence | 4.4 mi | 7.0 |
| R E Thompson Intermediate School Tuscumbia | 4.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Florence Middle School Florence | 4.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Kilby Laboratory School Florence | 4.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Weeden Elementary School Florence | 5.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Colbert Heights High School Tuscumbia | 5.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Hibbett School Florence | 6.1 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35661 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,726
Median Home Value
$189,700
Median Rent
$917/mo
Population
18,957
College Educated
24.3%
Homeownership
73.2%
Avg Commute
21.1 min
Poverty Rate
13%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Muscle Shoals High School has a median household income of $66,726. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,700, with a median rent of $917/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Albert P Brewer High School Somerville, AL | 4.0 |
| Clements High School Athens, AL | 4.0 |
| Pell City High School Pell City, AL | 4.0 |
| Russell County High School Seale, AL | 4.0 |
| Benjamin Russell High School Alexander City, AL | 4.1 |
| Calera High Calera, AL | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Muscle Shoals High School
What grades does Muscle Shoals High School serve?
Muscle Shoals High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Muscle Shoals High School?
Muscle Shoals High School has an enrollment of approximately 874 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Muscle Shoals High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Muscle Shoals High School is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Muscle Shoals High School rank in AL?
Muscle Shoals High School is ranked #1288 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Muscle Shoals High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Muscle Shoals High School has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Muscle Shoals High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Muscle Shoals High School has 51.3% math proficiency and 47.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Muscle Shoals High School a charter school?
No, Muscle Shoals High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Muscle Shoals High School a Title I school?
No, Muscle Shoals High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Muscle Shoals High School?
39.9% of students at Muscle Shoals 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
- City Safety
- High (3,166/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Muscle Shoals). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 874
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 39.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Colbert County
- Phone
- (256) 389-2682
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Muscle Shoals City- District Enrollment
- 2,937
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,852
- District Rank
- #6 of 6
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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