Average
#950 of 1,356 schools in AL
Sipsey Valley Middle School
Middle School · Tuscaloosa County
15817 Romulus Rd, Buhl, AL 35446
Enrollment
544
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
544
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama schools
#950 of 1,356
In Buhl
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#21 of 35
Tuscaloosa County
Academic growth
7.3 / 10
Very Good
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Sipsey Valley Middle School
Middle School in Buhl · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sipsey Valley High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Buhl Elementary School
4.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sipsey Valley Middle School
Sipsey Valley Middle School is a public middle school in Buhl, AL, part of Tuscaloosa County. Sipsey Valley Middle School serves approximately 544 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 20.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Sipsey Valley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #950 of 1,356 schools in AL.
Structured state assessment records for Sipsey Valley Middle School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 5.0
- AL avg 5.6
What Parents Should Know
Sipsey Valley Middle School runs 20.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Sipsey Valley Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Sipsey Valley Middle School — Students at Sipsey Valley Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 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: 7.3/10.
How Sipsey Valley Middle School Compares
See how Sipsey Valley Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
15817 Romulus Rd, Buhl, AL 35446
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sipsey Valley Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Northport Intermediate School (rated 5.5/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Northport), with a very similar rating. Another option is Westlawn Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Tuscaloosa), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Echols Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Northport), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Buhl, see our Buhl schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sipsey Valley High School Buhl | 0.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Buhl Elementary School Buhl | 4.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Westwood Elementary School Coker | 4.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Myrtlewood Elementary School Fosters | 7.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Flatwoods Elementary School Northport | 7.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Oakdale Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 7.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Crestmont Elementary School Northport | 8.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Martin L King Jr Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 8.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Lloyd Wood Education Center Northport | 9.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa | 9.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa | 9.0 mi | 7.0 |
| THE CAPITOL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa | 9.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Echols Middle School Northport | 9.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Matthews Elementary School Northport | 9.5 mi | 5.1 |
| CollinsRiverside Middle School Northport | 9.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Northport Intermediate School Northport | 10.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Northport Elementary School Northport | 10.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Tuscaloosa County High School Northport | 10.6 mi | 3.8 |
| FaucettVestavia Elementary School Northport | 10.0 mi | 9.2 |
| Huntington Place Elementary School Northport | 11.0 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 |
|---|---|
| Austin Middle School Decatur, AL | 5.4 |
| Dunbar Creative Performing Arts Mobile, AL | 5.4 |
| Escambia County Middle School Atmore, AL | 5.4 |
| Rainbow Middle School Rainbow City, AL | 5.4 |
| Springville Middle School Springville, AL | 5.4 |
| W S Neal Middle School East Brewton, AL | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sipsey Valley Middle School
What grades does Sipsey Valley Middle School serve?
Sipsey Valley Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Sipsey Valley Middle School?
Sipsey Valley Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 544 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sipsey Valley Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sipsey Valley Middle School is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sipsey Valley Middle School rank in AL?
Sipsey Valley Middle School ranks #950 of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Sipsey Valley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sipsey Valley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sipsey Valley Middle School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022).
Is Sipsey Valley Middle School a charter school?
No, Sipsey Valley Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sipsey Valley Middle School a Title I school?
No, Sipsey Valley Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sipsey Valley Middle School?
62.7% of students at Sipsey Valley Middle 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 544
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Tuscaloosa County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.7%
- Phone
- (205) 342-2870
Resources & Links
District
Tuscaloosa County- District Enrollment
- 19,228
- Schools in District
- 36
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,564
- District Rank
- #21 of 35
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