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Excellent

#16 of 206 private schools in AL

Top 7% of private schools

Spring Valley School

School

2701 SYDNEY DR, Birmingham, AL 35211

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 58 schools in Birmingham. Learn more

Enrollment

130

Student-Teacher

4.4:1

Score

8.0

Grades

1st – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Birmingham

#6 of 31

public schools

Alabama schools

#6 of 124

About Spring Valley School

Spring Valley School serves 130 students in grades 1-12 as a regular public school in Birmingham, Alabama. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 4.4:1, allowing for highly individualized attention and small class sizes that many families find appealing. The school has earned strong recognition, receiving a 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 77th out of 206 schools statewide, placing it in the 63rd percentile among Alabama schools.

This solid performance demonstrates the school's commitment to educational excellence within its intimate learning environment. Spring Valley's unique structure spans elementary through high school grades, creating opportunities for younger and older students to learn together in a close-knit community. The remarkably small enrollment ensures that every student receives personal attention from faculty and staff.

Located on Sydney Drive in Birmingham's 35211 ZIP code area, Spring Valley School serves a diverse community where the median household income is $32,677 and about 21% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school sits in a mid-size city setting that provides students with both urban resources and a more personal educational experience than larger district schools typically offer.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 130 students, Spring Valley School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.4:1, Spring Valley School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Spring Valley School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$29,153
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$26,490
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.91x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
75%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.8M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 130 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Spring Valley School compares to 59 public schools serving similar grades in Birmingham, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.4:1
This School
vs
19.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
130
This School
vs
528
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.0
This School
vs
6.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 76.9% vs 0%
Black 10.8% vs 0%
Asian 6.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.3% vs 0%
Spring Valley School Birmingham Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Spring Valley School (this school) 8.0
Oxmoor K5 6.4
Wenonah High School 4.8
Jones Valley Middle School 5.8
Richard Arrington Elementary 7.5
Green Acres Middle School 5.2
West End Academy 6.7
Magic City Acceptance Academy 8.0
Central Park Elementary School 7.3
Charles A Brown Elementary School 7.9
Hemphill Elementary School 7.4
Princeton School 7.6
Minor Elementary School 7.4
Washington K8 7.1
EPIC Alternative Elementary School 7.3
Wylam Elementary School 7.1
Glen Iris Elementary School 5.5
Bush Hills STEAM Academy 5.2
Jefferson County Virtual School 4.0
JacksonOlin High School 4.6
Parker High School 3.3

Showing 20 of 59 schools. View all schools in Birmingham

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,225
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 39%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 130
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 76.9%
Black 10.8%
Asian 6.2%
Two or More 3.8%
Hispanic 2.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2701 SYDNEY DR, Birmingham, AL 35211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spring Valley School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Shades Mountain Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bluff Park Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hall Kent Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Homewood), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Oxmoor K5 Birmingham 0.4 mi 6.4
Wenonah High School Birmingham 1.6 mi 4.8
MIRACLE ACADEMY PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Birmingham 1.8 mi
Bluff Park Elementary School Hoover 2.0 mi 9.1
Jones Valley Middle School Birmingham 2.2 mi 5.8
Richard Arrington Elementary Birmingham 2.8 mi 7.5
JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham 2.4 mi 7.2
Green Acres Middle School Birmingham 2.9 mi 5.2
NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Birmingham 3.2 mi 6.7
Midfield Elementary School Midfield 2.8 mi 5.4
Midfield High School Midfield 2.7 mi 5.5
Shades Mountain Elementary School Hoover 2.8 mi 9.2
West End Academy Birmingham 3.5 mi 6.7
Lipscomb Elementary School Lipscomb 3.0 mi 7.8
Central Park Elementary School Birmingham 3.6 mi 7.3
Hall Kent Elementary School Homewood 3.2 mi 8.4
Magic City Acceptance Academy Birmingham 3.6 mi 8.0
Charles A Brown Elementary School Birmingham 3.9 mi 7.9
Ira F Simmons Middle School Hoover 3.9 mi 7.5
Robinson Primary School Fairfield 3.9 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,286

Median Home Value

$94,500

Median Rent

$1,044/mo

Population

25,267

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

40.3%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

33.8%

Median Age

35.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Spring Valley School has a median household income of $34,286. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,500, with a median rent of $1,044/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
GOVERNMENT STREET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mobile, AL 8.0
GLEN IRIS BAPTIST SCHOOL Birmingham, AL 7.8
Amelia L Johnson High School Thomaston, AL 7.6
CONECUH SPRINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Union Springs, AL 7.6
JEFFERSON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Irondale, AL 7.3
BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dothan, AL 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spring Valley School

What grades does Spring Valley School serve?

Spring Valley School serves students in grades 1st through 12th.

How many students attend Spring Valley School?

Spring Valley School has an enrollment of approximately 130 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Spring Valley School?

The student-teacher ratio at Spring Valley School is 4.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Spring Valley School rank in AL?

Spring Valley School is ranked #16 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Spring Valley School's MySchoolScout rating?

Spring Valley School has a composite rating of 8.0 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.

Is Spring Valley School a private school?

Yes, Spring Valley School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Spring Valley School a religious school?

No, Spring Valley School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,331/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
1st – 12th
Enrollment
130
Gender Split
52% M / 48% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
JEFFERSON
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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