Very Good
#284 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 21% in state
Shades Cahaba Elementary School
Elementary School · Homewood City
3001 Independence Dr, Homewood, AL 35209
Enrollment
510
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
510
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Homewood
#4 of 5
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#261 of 696
In district
#4 of 5
Homewood City
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Shades Cahaba Elementary School
Shades Cahaba Elementary School serves 510 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Homewood, Alabama, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10, the school ranks an impressive 39th out of 1,360 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 97th percentile for academic achievement. The school maintains a manageable 15:1 student-teacher ratio with 34 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for individualized attention.
Academic performance is particularly strong in English Language Arts, where 77% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels, while 57% of students demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. Shades Cahaba Elementary draws from an educated and affluent community where 63% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $74,742. The surrounding neighborhood features a median home value of $436,100, reflecting the area's desirability and investment in education.
With a relatively low poverty rate of 11.2%, the school benefits from strong community support and family engagement. Located on Independence Drive in this large suburban area of Jefferson County, Shades Cahaba Elementary serves families who value academic excellence in a well-established, education-focused community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Shades Cahaba Elementary School — Students at Shades Cahaba Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 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: 6.7/10.
How Shades Cahaba Elementary School Compares
See how Shades Cahaba Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 69% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
3001 Independence Dr, Homewood, AL 35209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shades Cahaba Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Crestline Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Mountain Brk), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edgewood Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mountain Brook Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Mountain Brk), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Homewood, see our Homewood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,383
Median Home Value
$465,600
Median Rent
$1,246/mo
Population
33,476
College Educated
54.4%
Homeownership
50%
Avg Commute
17.6 min
Poverty Rate
17%
Median Age
33.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shades Cahaba Elementary School has a median household income of $72,383. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $465,600, with a median rent of $1,246/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary School Gadsden, AL | 7.8 |
| Bryant Park Elementary Birmingham, AL | 7.8 |
| Cold Springs Elementary School Bremen, AL | 7.8 |
| Creekside Primary School Harvest, AL | 7.8 |
| East Elementary School Cullman, AL | 7.8 |
| Eden Elementary School Pell City, AL | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shades Cahaba Elementary School
What grades does Shades Cahaba Elementary School serve?
Shades Cahaba Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Shades Cahaba Elementary School?
Shades Cahaba Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 510 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shades Cahaba Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shades Cahaba Elementary School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shades Cahaba Elementary School rank in AL?
Shades Cahaba Elementary School is ranked #284 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Shades Cahaba Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shades Cahaba Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Shades Cahaba Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shades Cahaba Elementary School has 60.7% math proficiency and 82.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shades Cahaba Elementary School a charter school?
No, Shades Cahaba Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shades Cahaba Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Shades Cahaba Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shades Cahaba Elementary School?
25.1% of students at Shades Cahaba Elementary 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 (Homewood). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 510
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 25.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (205) 871-1113
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Homewood City- District Enrollment
- 4,464
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,899
- District Rank
- #4 of 5
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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