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Very Good

#544 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 40% in state

Sun Valley Elementary School

Elementary School · Birmingham City

1010 18th Ave NW, Birmingham, AL 35215

Enrollment

670

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Birmingham

#25 of 58

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#456 of 696

In district

#16 of 42

Birmingham City

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Sun Valley Elementary School

Sun Valley Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, in Jefferson County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 670 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 20.3:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to its students.

The school is staffed by 33 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring a supportive learning environment. Sun Valley Elementary School's academic performance is currently rated at 3.0 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 8th percentile among Alabama schools. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 25%, while the Math proficiency rate is significantly lower at 7%.

Despite these challenges, the school is dedicated to student development and continuous improvement. The school is situated in a mid-size city, within a neighborhood where the median household income is $47,975 and the median home value is $134,700. About 19% of residents in the area have a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 21.1%.

Sun Valley Elementary School serves a diverse community that is actively involved in supporting its students' education. Sun Valley Elementary School is embedded in a neighborhood that values community and education, striving to provide a nurturing environment for all its students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Sun Valley Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

The student-teacher ratio at Sun Valley Elementary School is 20.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Reading vs. State Avg-57.8 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,890

Sun Valley Elementary School — Students at Sun Valley Elementary School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 8.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.7%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
16%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
25%
2024
ELA
74.7%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Sun Valley Elementary School Compares

See how Sun Valley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
60th percentile in AL
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

1010 18th Ave NW, Birmingham, AL 35215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sun Valley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pinson Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Pinson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Center Point Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bryant Park Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Erwin Middle School Center Point 1.1 mi 5.0
Erwin Intermediate School Center Point 1.3 mi 6.7
Center Point High School Center Point 1.8 mi 4.4
Smith Middle School Birmingham 2.0 mi 4.0
Center Point Elementary School Birmingham 1.8 mi 8.4
INTEGRITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Birmingham 2.6 mi
Huffman Academy Birmingham 2.4 mi 6.8
Huffman High SchoolMagnet Birmingham 2.5 mi 4.2
CORNERSTONE HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham 2.7 mi 7.0
Martha Gaskins K5 Birmingham 3.0 mi 5.2
Huffman Middle School Birmingham 3.1 mi 3.9
TRINITY OUTREACH MINISTRIES Birmingham 3.8 mi
Chalkville Elementary School Birmingham 3.1 mi 5.1
Fultondale High School Birmingham 3.5 mi 5.8
Christian School Birmingham 4.1 mi 7.5
Tarrant High School Tarrant 3.6 mi 4.7
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH-PINSON Pinson 4.2 mi
Robinson Elementary School Birmingham 4.4 mi 6.6
Pinson Elementary School Pinson 4.3 mi 8.7
Bryant Park Elementary Birmingham 3.8 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,854

Median Home Value

$146,900

Median Rent

$1,080/mo

Population

46,372

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

54.2%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

21.9%

Median Age

33.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sun Valley Elementary School has a median household income of $51,854. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $146,900, with a median rent of $1,080/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Allentown Elementary School Semmes, AL 7.0
Beauregard Elementary School Opelika, AL 7.0
Brewton Elementary School Brewton, AL 7.0
Creekside Elementary School Harvest, AL 7.0
Jones Valley Elementary School Huntsville, AL 7.0
Jonesboro Elementary School Bessemer, AL 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sun Valley Elementary School

What grades does Sun Valley Elementary School serve?

Sun Valley Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Sun Valley Elementary School?

Sun Valley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 670 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sun Valley Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sun Valley Elementary School is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sun Valley Elementary School rank in AL?

Sun Valley Elementary School is ranked #544 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Sun Valley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sun Valley Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.0 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.

What are the test scores at Sun Valley Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sun Valley Elementary School has 8.5% math proficiency and 42.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sun Valley Elementary School a charter school?

No, Sun Valley Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sun Valley Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Sun Valley Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sun Valley Elementary School?

83.1% of students at Sun Valley 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (5,331/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
670
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Birmingham City
District Enrollment
20,884
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,201
District Rank
#16 of 42

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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