Very Good
#277 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 20% in state
Valley Head High School
School · DeKalb County
PO Box 149, Valley Head, AL 35989
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama schools
#10 of 90
In district
#5 of 12
DeKalb County
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Valley Head High School
Valley Head High School in Valley Head, Alabama, is a regular public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. With an enrollment of 492 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, the school benefits from a strong teaching presence. Valley Head High is situated in a rural area, offering a close-knit community atmosphere.
The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 5.7 out of 10 reflects its focus on student development, particularly in areas where academic performance shows room for growth. On average, 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 17% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, Valley Head High School remains committed to providing a supportive educational environment.
The school's setting is surrounded by a community where the median household income is $47,138 and the median home value is $97,200. Valley Head High School is an integral part of this rural community, fostering a sense of belonging and support among its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Valley Head High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Valley Head High School — Students at Valley Head High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.9/10.
How Valley Head High School Compares
See how Valley Head High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
PO Box 149, Valley Head, AL 35989
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valley Head High School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Ider School (rated 7.7/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Ider), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sylvania School (rated 7.4/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Sylvania), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Plainview School (rated 7.1/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Rainsville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Valley Head, see our Valley Head schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Little Ridge Intermediate School Fort Payne | 5.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Fort Payne Middle School Fort Payne | 5.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Fort Payne High School Fort Payne | 6.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Wills Valley Elementary School Fort Payne | 6.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Williams Avenue Elementary School Fort Payne | 9.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Ider School Ider | 10.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Menlo Elementary School Menlo | 9.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Henagar Junior High School Henagar | 10.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Sylvania School Sylvania | 11.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Rosalie Elementary School Pisgah | 12.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Flat Rock School Flat Rock | 14.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Plainview School Rainsville | 13.1 mi | 7.1 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Rainsville | 12.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Ruhuma Junior High School Fort Payne | 16.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Pisgah High School Pisgah | 15.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Lyerly Elementary School Lyerly | 16.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Chattooga High School Summerville | 16.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Summerville Middle School Summerville | 16.5 mi | 4.6 |
| North Sand Mountain School Higdon | 19.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Leroy Massey Elementary School Summerville | 16.5 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35989 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$43,750
Median Home Value
$89,500
Median Rent
$730/mo
Population
3,793
College Educated
11.6%
Homeownership
79.9%
Avg Commute
30.4 min
Poverty Rate
20.8%
Median Age
36
Community Profile
The community surrounding Valley Head High School has a median household income of $43,750. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $89,500, with a median rent of $730/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Waterloo High School Waterloo, AL | 7.8 |
| Ider School Ider, AL | 7.7 |
| Kinston School Kinston, AL | 7.7 |
| Brantley High School Brantley, AL | 7.9 |
| COTTAGE HILL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY AT WEST CAMPUS Mobile, AL | 7.6 |
| Spring Garden High School Spring Garden, AL | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valley Head High School
What grades does Valley Head High School serve?
Valley Head High School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Valley Head High School?
Valley Head High School has an enrollment of approximately 492 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Head High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Valley Head High School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Valley Head High School rank in AL?
Valley Head High School is ranked #277 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Valley Head High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Head High School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Valley Head High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Head High School has 24.3% math proficiency and 57.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Valley Head High School a charter school?
No, Valley Head High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valley Head High School a Title I school?
No, Valley Head High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Head High School?
67.1% of students at Valley Head High 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 492
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- DeKalb County
- Phone
- (256) 635-6228
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb County- District Enrollment
- 8,704
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,528
- District Rank
- #5 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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