Excellent

#4 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 1% in state

Based on limited data

South Shades Crest Elementary School

Elementary School · Hoover City

3770 South Shades Crest Rd, Hoover, AL 35244

Last updated: May 2026

Enrollment

500

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

9.7

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Enrollment

500

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

9.7

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Updated
2022-23

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hoover

#1 of 16

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#4 of 696

In district

#1 of 16

Hoover City

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About South Shades Crest Elementary School

South Shades Crest Elementary School serves 500 students in prekindergarten through second grade in Hoover, Alabama. This public elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a solid foundation for young learners during their crucial early academic years. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking #205 out of 1,360 schools statewide and placing in the 85th percentile among Alabama elementary schools.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10, South Shades Crest demonstrates strong educational outcomes for its primary-grade students. Located at 3770 South Shades Crest Road, the school serves families in an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $106,338 and the median home value is $357,000. The surrounding ZIP code of 35244 is home to 36,783 residents, with 59% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 4.2%, reflecting a highly educated and economically stable community.

South Shades Crest Elementary operates within Hoover's large suburban setting in Jefferson County, providing early childhood education in a well-resourced community environment that supports academic achievement and student development.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics

Student Progress—Not Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics9.8Exceptional60%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Reading/ELA Proficiency93.7%

Reading vs. State Avg+10.9 pts

Overall Proficiency94%

Expected (poverty-adj.)68%

vs. Expected+25.7 pts

Adjusted Percentile97th

College Readiness—Not Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional40%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1

Per-Pupil Spending$13,854

South Shades Crest Elementary School — Students at South Shades Crest Elementary School score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency N/A

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 93.7%

School

State

82.8%

Based on 1 test record from AL state assessments. About our data

How South Shades Crest Elementary School Compares

See how South Shades Crest Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

9.7/10

100th percentile in AL

Academic

9.8/10

Environment

9.6/10

Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

21%

Teaching Staff

14:1 student-teacher ratio

35 teachers

Location

3770 South Shades Crest Rd, Hoover, AL 35244

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Shades Crest Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gwin Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 4.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Riverchase Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 4.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bluff Park Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 5.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hoover, see our Hoover schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Brocks Gap Intermediate School Hoover	0.8 mi	495	8.8
Robert F Bumpus Middle School Hoover	1.4 mi	1,164	7.1
Deer Valley Elementary School Hoover	1.9 mi	749	8.9
Trace Crossings Elementary School Hoover	2.0 mi	758	8.7
Hoover High School Hoover	2.4 mi	2,884	6.8
THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL Helena	3.0 mi	35	6.7
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF RIVERWOODS Helena	3.1 mi	5	—
Helena Intermediate School Helena	3.2 mi	932	7.3
THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL Helena	3.1 mi	35	6.7
Greenwood Elementary School Bessemer	3.2 mi	295	5.1
Helena Elementary School Helena	3.7 mi	855	7.4
Helena Middle Helena	4.3 mi	988	4.4
Helena High School Helena	4.3 mi	1,419	5.7
Pelham High School Pelham	3.7 mi	1,100	6.6
Ira F Simmons Middle School Hoover	4.3 mi	865	7.5
Riverchase Elementary School Hoover	4.1 mi	617	9.2
Gwin Elementary School Hoover	4.4 mi	516	9.4
RIVERCHASE UNITED METHODIST DAY SCHOOL Hoover	4.3 mi	22	—
Bluff Park Elementary School Hoover	5.2 mi	618	9.1
Pelham Park Middle School Pelham	4.6 mi	833	5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35244 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$114,172

Median Home Value

$390,900

Median Rent

$1,413/mo

Population

36,775

College Educated

60.1%

Homeownership

71.7%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

3.8%

Median Age

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Shades Crest Elementary School has a median household income of $114,172. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $390,900, with a median rent of $1,413/month. The local poverty rate of 3.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Guntersville Elementary School Guntersville, AL	470	9.7
Stonebridge Elementary Loxley, AL	552	9.6
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge Vestavia Hills, AL	639	9.6
WA Threadgill Primary School Sheffield, AL	323	9.6
Cullman City Primary School Cullman, AL	530	9.9
Orange Beach Elementary School Orange Beach, AL	625	9.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Shades Crest Elementary School

What grades does South Shades Crest Elementary School serve?

South Shades Crest Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.

How many students attend South Shades Crest Elementary School?

South Shades Crest Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 500 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Shades Crest Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Shades Crest Elementary School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Shades Crest Elementary School rank in AL?

South Shades Crest Elementary School is ranked #4 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is South Shades Crest Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Shades Crest Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.7 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 South Shades Crest Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Shades Crest Elementary School has 93.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Shades Crest Elementary School a charter school?

No, South Shades Crest Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Shades Crest Elementary School a Title I school?

No, South Shades Crest Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Shades Crest Elementary School?

20.6% of students at South Shades Crest 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

All schools in Hoover, AL Schools in AL Hoover City District 20 nearby schools

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score: 7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score: 6 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety: Elevated (1,336/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hoover). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades: Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment: 500
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14.3:1
Teachers (FTE): 35
Free/Reduced Lunch: 20.6%
Type: regular
Setting: Large Suburb
County: Jefferson County
Phone: (205) 439-3000
Data Year: 2023–2024

Resources & Links

School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

District