Needs Improvement
#1349 of 1,356 schools in AL
Sipsey Valley High School
High School · Tuscaloosa County
15815 Romulus Rd, Buhl, AL 35446
Enrollment
510
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
3.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
510
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
3.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buhl
#3 of 3
public schools
Alabama high schools
#303 of 308
In district
#35 of 35
Tuscaloosa County
About Sipsey Valley High School
Sipsey Valley High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Buhl, Alabama, in Tuscaloosa County. Situated at 15815 Romulus Road, the school serves 510 students in grades 9 through 12 with a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1, supported by 28 full-time equivalent teachers. Sipsey Valley High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking of 1182 out of 1360 schools in Alabama.
The academic performance, as measured by the ELA/Reading and Math proficiency rates, shows 17% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in both subjects. While these scores indicate room for academic growth, the school is committed to supporting its students through various programs and initiatives. The neighborhood around Sipsey Valley High School is characterized by a median household income of $50,357, with 17.5% of the population living below the poverty line.
About 10% of adults in the area have a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is an integral part of the community, providing educational opportunities for students in this rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Sipsey Valley 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
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Sipsey Valley High School — Students at Sipsey Valley High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.6%
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: 1.4/10.
How Sipsey Valley High School Compares
See how Sipsey Valley High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
15815 Romulus Rd, Buhl, AL 35446
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sipsey Valley High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Northport Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Northport), which scores notably higher. Another option is Huntington Place Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Northport), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Flatwoods Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Northport), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buhl, see our Buhl schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sipsey Valley Middle School Buhl | 0.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Buhl Elementary School Buhl | 4.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Westwood Elementary School Coker | 4.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Myrtlewood Elementary School Fosters | 7.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Flatwoods Elementary School Northport | 7.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Oakdale Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 7.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Crestmont Elementary School Northport | 8.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Martin L King Jr Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 9.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Lloyd Wood Education Center Northport | 9.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa | 9.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 9.2 mi | 7.2 |
| THE CAPITOL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa | 9.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Echols Middle School Northport | 9.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Matthews Elementary School Northport | 9.6 mi | 7.9 |
| CollinsRiverside Middle School Northport | 9.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Northport Intermediate School Northport | 10.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Northport Elementary School Northport | 10.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Tuscaloosa County High School Northport | 10.7 mi | 4.1 |
| FaucettVestavia Elementary School Northport | 10.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Huntington Place Elementary School Northport | 11.1 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35446 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,650
Median Home Value
$106,900
Median Rent
$823/mo
Population
1,772
College Educated
5.1%
Homeownership
75.8%
Avg Commute
32.5 min
Poverty Rate
21.1%
Median Age
34.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sipsey Valley High School has a median household income of $50,650. It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,900, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Fairview High School Cullman, AL | 3.1 |
| Hamilton High School Hamilton, AL | 3.1 |
| JB Pennington High School Blountsville, 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 Sipsey Valley High School
What grades does Sipsey Valley High School serve?
Sipsey Valley High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Sipsey Valley High School?
Sipsey Valley High School has an enrollment of approximately 510 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sipsey Valley High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sipsey Valley High School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sipsey Valley High School rank in AL?
Sipsey Valley High School is ranked #1349 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Sipsey Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sipsey Valley 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 Sipsey Valley High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sipsey Valley High School has 28.7% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sipsey Valley High School a charter school?
No, Sipsey Valley High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sipsey Valley High School a Title I school?
No, Sipsey Valley High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sipsey Valley High School?
57.6% of students at Sipsey 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
- County Safety
- Low (247/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 510
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Tuscaloosa County
- Phone
- (205) 342-2850
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tuscaloosa County- District Enrollment
- 19,228
- Schools in District
- 36
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,564
- District Rank
- #35 of 35
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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