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Needs Improvement

#1261 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

3.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#1,261 of 1,356

In Buhl

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#34 of 35

Tuscaloosa County

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Sipsey Valley High School

3.8/10

High School in Buhl · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sipsey Valley Middle School

5.4/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Buhl Elementary School

8.7/10

4.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sipsey Valley High School

Sipsey Valley High School is a public high school in Buhl, AL, part of Tuscaloosa County. Sipsey Valley High School serves approximately 510 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Sipsey Valley High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,261 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Sipsey Valley High School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.9
  • AL avg 5.1

What Parents Should Know

Sipsey Valley High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-4.72 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-33.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation4.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,564
Chronic Absenteeism26.9%

Sipsey Valley High School — Students at Sipsey Valley High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.5% (multi-year average, 2010-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0% (multi-year average, 2010-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2010
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
12%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
17%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Sipsey Valley High School Compares

See how Sipsey Valley High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
7th percentile in AL
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.5
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
4.5% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·19 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.2/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Northport), which scores notably higher. Another option is FaucettVestavia Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Northport), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Buhl Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 4.4 miles away), 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 5.4
Buhl Elementary School Buhl 4.4 mi 8.7
Westwood Elementary School Coker 4.7 mi 8.5
Myrtlewood Elementary School Fosters 7.3 mi 8.2
Flatwoods Elementary School Northport 7.4 mi 5.8
Oakdale Elementary School Tuscaloosa 7.7 mi 6.6
Crestmont Elementary School Northport 8.8 mi 7.3
Martin L King Jr Elementary School Tuscaloosa 9.0 mi 7.4
Lloyd Wood Education Center Northport 9.2 mi 5.2
Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa 9.1 mi 4.5
Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa 9.2 mi 7.0
THE CAPITOL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 9.2 mi 6.8
Echols Middle School Northport 9.4 mi 4.4
Matthews Elementary School Northport 9.6 mi 5.1
CollinsRiverside Middle School Northport 9.6 mi 4.3
Northport Intermediate School Northport 10.6 mi 5.5
Northport Elementary School Northport 10.8 mi 9.2
Tuscaloosa County High School Northport 10.7 mi 3.8
FaucettVestavia Elementary School Northport 10.2 mi 9.2
Huntington Place Elementary School Northport 11.1 mi 8.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cherokee County High School Centre, AL 3.8
Daleville High School Daleville, AL 3.8
Selma High School Selma, AL 3.8
George Washington Carver High School Birmingham, AL 3.7
Childersburg High School Childersburg, AL 3.9
Deshler High School Tuscumbia, AL 3.9

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 ranks #1,261 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Sipsey Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sipsey Valley High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Sipsey Valley High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sipsey Valley High School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.9%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Tuscaloosa County
District Enrollment
19,228
Schools in District
36
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,564
District Rank
#34 of 35

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