Average
#794 of 1,356 schools in AL
Shades Valley High School
High School · Jefferson County
6100 Old Leeds Rd, Irondale, AL 35210
Enrollment
1,122
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,122
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
6.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Irondale
#2 of 4
public schools
Alabama high schools
#63 of 308
In district
#23 of 55
Jefferson County
About Shades Valley High School
Shades Valley High School serves 1,122 students in grades 9-12 in Irondale, Alabama, with a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 across 66 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #749 out of 1,360 high schools statewide, placing it in the 45th percentile among Alabama schools. Academically, Shades Valley shows room for growth, with 35% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 22% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school's academic focus centers on supporting student development across these core subject areas. The school serves a diverse suburban community where families demonstrate strong educational values, with 42% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects middle-class stability, with a median household income of $70,902 and median home values around $205,400.
The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10%, suggesting a community with solid economic foundations. Located on Old Leeds Road, Shades Valley High School operates within Jefferson County's large suburban setting, drawing students from a well-established residential area that balances suburban convenience with educational aspirations for its young residents.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Shades Valley High School — Students at Shades Valley High School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.6%
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: 2.6/10.
How Shades Valley High School Compares
See how Shades Valley High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 35% (2022).
Location
6100 Old Leeds Rd, Irondale, AL 35210
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shades Valley High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HIGDON HILL SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Birmingham), with a very similar rating. Another option is BANKS ACADEMY (rated 5.1/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Birmingham), a more accessible option. Additionally, BANKS ACADEMY (rated 4.8/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Birmingham), a more accessible option. For more schools in Irondale, see our Irondale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Irondale Middle School Irondale | 0.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Grantswood Community School Birmingham | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| JEFFERSON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Irondale | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Irondale Community School Irondale | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Christian School Birmingham | 3.0 mi | 7.5 |
| HIGHLANDS SCHOOL Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 8.5 |
| BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
| WE Putnam Middle SchoolMagnet Irondale | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School Birmingham | 3.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Cherokee Bend Elementary School Mountain Brk | 3.6 mi | 8.1 |
| TRINITY OUTREACH MINISTRIES Birmingham | 3.7 mi | — |
| Huffman Middle School Birmingham | 4.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Robinson Elementary School Birmingham | 3.7 mi | 6.6 |
| RISING HOPE ACADEMY Birmingham | 3.6 mi | 7.8 |
| HIGDON HILL SCHOOL Birmingham | 3.6 mi | 6.6 |
| i3 Academy Phase 2 Birmingham | 3.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park Vestavia | 4.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Barrett Elementary School Birmingham | 3.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Liberty Park Middle School Vestavia | 4.4 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,632
Median Home Value
$247,600
Median Rent
$1,164/mo
Population
13,878
College Educated
45.7%
Homeownership
68.1%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Median Age
44.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shades Valley High School has a median household income of $72,632. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $247,600, with a median rent of $1,164/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Arab High School Arab, AL | 6.3 |
| Spain Park High School Hoover, AL | 6.3 |
| Saraland High School Saraland, AL | 6.2 |
| Chelsea High School Chelsea, AL | 6.4 |
| Cullman High School Cullman, AL | 6.4 |
| Douglas High School Douglas, AL | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shades Valley High School
What grades does Shades Valley High School serve?
Shades Valley High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Shades Valley High School?
Shades Valley High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,122 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shades Valley High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shades Valley High School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shades Valley High School rank in AL?
Shades Valley High School is ranked #794 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Shades Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shades Valley High School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Valley High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shades Valley High School has 32.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shades Valley High School a charter school?
No, Shades Valley High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shades Valley High School a Title I school?
No, Shades Valley High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shades Valley High School?
65.6% of students at Shades Valley 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Irondale). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,122
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 66
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (205) 379-5350
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Jefferson County- District Enrollment
- 35,671
- Schools in District
- 57
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,194
- District Rank
- #23 of 55
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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