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Average

#80 of 206 private schools in AL

Top 38% of private schools

The Hillsboro School

School

73 ELVIRA RD, Helena, AL 35080

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on AL statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

35

Student-Teacher

5:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 11th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Helena

#1 of 2

public schools

Alabama schools

#39 of 124

About The Hillsboro School

The Hillsboro School serves 35 students from pre-kindergarten through 11th grade in Helena, Alabama, offering an exceptionally intimate learning environment with a remarkable 5.0-to-1 student-teacher ratio. This small regular public school employs 7 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring each student receives highly individualized attention that's nearly impossible to find in larger school settings. The school has earned a strong 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #114 out of 206 schools statewide, placing it in the 45th percentile among Alabama schools.

This solid performance reflects the dedicated instruction possible with such small class sizes. Families choosing The Hillsboro School are part of an affluent and educated community, with a median household income of $106,660 and 48% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The low 3.0% poverty rate and median home values of $256,100 indicate a stable, well-resourced neighborhood that values education.

The school's unique size makes it an appealing choice for parents seeking a more personalized educational experience where teachers can truly know each student as an individual. Located in a rural setting near Helena, The Hillsboro School provides a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions while remaining accessible to families in this thriving Shelby County community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 35 students, The Hillsboro 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 5:1, The Hillsboro 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, The Hillsboro 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How The Hillsboro School compares to the 4 public schools in Helena, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
This School
vs
19.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
35
This School
vs
1,049
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.7
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 80% vs 0%
Black 2.9% vs 0%
The Hillsboro School Helena Public Avg

All Schools in Helena

School Rating
The Hillsboro School (this school) 6.7
Helena Intermediate School 7.3
Helena Middle 4.4
Helena High School 5.7
Helena Elementary School 7.4

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 5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,210.4
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 7.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 33%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 35
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 80.0%
Two or More 17.1%
Black 2.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

73 ELVIRA RD, Helena, AL 35080

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Hillsboro School may also want to explore other schools in the area. THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, EVANGEL CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 4.7/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Alabaster), a more accessible option. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.7 mi
School Distance Rating
THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL Helena 0.5 mi 6.7
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF RIVERWOODS Helena 1.3 mi
Helena Intermediate School Helena 1.6 mi 7.3
Helena Middle Helena 1.8 mi 4.4
Helena High School Helena 1.9 mi 5.7
South Shades Crest Elementary School Hoover 3.0 mi 9.7
Helena Elementary School Helena 2.7 mi 7.4
Brocks Gap Intermediate School Hoover 3.4 mi 8.8
Robert F Bumpus Middle School Hoover 3.3 mi 7.1
Greenwood Elementary School Bessemer 3.5 mi 5.1
GOSPEL LIGHT BAPTIST ACADEMY Helena 3.5 mi
Trace Crossings Elementary School Hoover 4.2 mi 8.7
Deer Valley Elementary School Hoover 5.0 mi 8.9
Hoover High School Hoover 4.7 mi 6.8
Pelham High School Pelham 4.3 mi 6.6
Creek View Elementary School Maylene 5.1 mi 9.2
EVANGEL CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alabaster 5.1 mi 4.7
ALABASTER WEEKDAY EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM Alabaster 5.1 mi 3.0
Pelham Park Middle School Pelham 5.0 mi 5.7
Thompson High School Alabaster 5.7 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,871

Median Home Value

$278,500

Median Rent

$1,611/mo

Population

19,808

College Educated

47.6%

Homeownership

91.3%

Avg Commute

31 min

Poverty Rate

3.3%

Median Age

35.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Hillsboro School has a median household income of $111,871. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $278,500, with a median rent of $1,611/month. The local poverty rate of 3.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
THE HILLSBORO SCHOOL Helena, AL 6.7
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS ACADEMY Mobile, AL 6.6
THE GROVE SCHOOL Leeds, AL 6.6
LAWRENCE COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Moulton, AL 6.5
ASCENSION LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PRESBYTERIAN HOME Talladega, AL 7.0
HOLY COMFORTER EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Gadsden, AL 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Hillsboro School

What grades does The Hillsboro School serve?

The Hillsboro School serves students in grades Pre-K through 11th.

How many students attend The Hillsboro School?

The Hillsboro School has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Hillsboro School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Hillsboro School is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Hillsboro School rank in AL?

The Hillsboro School is ranked #80 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is The Hillsboro School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Hillsboro School has a composite rating of 6.7 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.

Is The Hillsboro School a private school?

Yes, The Hillsboro 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 The Hillsboro School a religious school?

No, The Hillsboro School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
2 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (521/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 11th
Enrollment
35
Gender Split
40% M / 60% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
178 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
SHELBY
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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