Excellent
#274 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
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
492
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama schools
#274 of 1,356
In district
#5 of 12
DeKalb County
School environment
8.3 / 10
Excellent
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Valley Head High School
School in Valley Head · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Little Ridge Intermediate School
5.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fort Payne Middle School
5.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Valley Head High School
Valley Head High School is a public school in Valley Head, AL, part of DeKalb County. Valley Head High School serves approximately 492 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Head High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #274 of 1,356 schools in AL.
Structured state assessment records for Valley Head High School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.2 · Excellent
- District avg 7.5
- AL avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Valley Head High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
30% of students at Valley Head High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Valley Head High School — Students at Valley Head High School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 30 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: 7.7/10.
How Valley Head High School Compares
See how Valley Head High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.0/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Ider), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sylvania School (rated 7.9/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Sylvania), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Plainview School (rated 7.5/10, 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 | 9.0 |
| Fort Payne Middle School Fort Payne | 5.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Fort Payne High School Fort Payne | 6.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Wills Valley Elementary School Fort Payne | 6.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Williams Avenue Elementary School Fort Payne | 9.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Ider School Ider | 10.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Menlo Elementary School Menlo | 9.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Henagar Junior High School Henagar | 10.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Sylvania School Sylvania | 11.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Rosalie Elementary School Pisgah | 12.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Flat Rock School Flat Rock | 14.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Plainview School Rainsville | 13.1 mi | 7.5 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| Lyerly Elementary School Lyerly | 16.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Chattooga High School Summerville | 16.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Summerville Middle School Summerville | 16.5 mi | 3.9 |
| North Sand Mountain School Higdon | 19.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Leroy Massey Elementary School Summerville | 16.5 mi | 4.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Pleasant Home School Andalusia, AL | 8.2 |
| Brantley High School Brantley, AL | 8.1 |
| Gaylesville High School Gaylesville, AL | 8.1 |
| Spring Garden High School Spring Garden, AL | 8.1 |
| Ider School Ider, AL | 8.0 |
| Leroy High School Leroy, AL | 8.0 |
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 ranks #274 of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Valley Head High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Head High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Valley Head High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Head High School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.1%
- Phone
- (256) 635-6228
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90%+
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
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