Excellent
#9 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 1% in state
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge
Elementary School · Vestavia Hills City
2680 Gresham Drive, Vestavia Hills, AL 35243
Enrollment
639
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
9.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
639
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
9.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Vestavia Hills
#1 of 3
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#9 of 696
In district
#1 of 9
Vestavia Hills City
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge is a public elementary school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, with 639 students enrolled. Its student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 supports focused classroom instruction across all grade levels. The school earns a composite score of 9.6 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — driven by a 9.9 growth score that ranks among the strongest in the state.
It places 9th out of 1,356 public schools in Alabama, outperforming 99% of schools statewide. Among elementary schools specifically, it ranks 9th out of 696, a result that reflects consistent, measurable academic outcomes rather than a single strong year. Within Vestavia Hills, Dolly Ridge ranks first among the city's three public schools, making it the top-performing option for local families at the elementary level.
The academic score of 9.0 out of 10 confirms that high achievement and strong student growth are both present — a combination that distinguishes this school from peers that may score well on one measure but not the other. Families comparing elementary options in the greater Birmingham area will find Dolly Ridge's data profile difficult to match.
What's said publicly about Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge — Students at Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 9.9/10.
How Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge Compares
See how Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 55% (2021) to 69% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 80% (2021) to 86% (2022).
Location
2680 Gresham Drive, Vestavia Hills, AL 35243
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rocky Ridge Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Hoover), with a comparable rating. Another option is Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Vestavia Hills Elementary West (rated 8.4/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Vestavia), a more accessible option. For more schools in Vestavia Hills, see our Vestavia Hills schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35243 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$99,063
Median Home Value
$484,400
Median Rent
$1,632/mo
Population
17,776
College Educated
69.6%
Homeownership
53%
Avg Commute
21.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
39.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge has a median household income of $99,063. It is a well-educated community where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $484,400, with a median rent of $1,632/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Stonebridge Elementary Loxley, AL | 9.6 |
| Guntersville Elementary School Guntersville, AL | 9.7 |
| South Shades Crest Elementary School Hoover, AL | 9.7 |
| Green Valley Elementary School Hoover, AL | 9.4 |
| Gwin Elementary School Hoover, AL | 9.4 |
| Robert D Sloman Primary Douglas, AL | 9.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge
What grades does Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge serve?
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge?
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge has an enrollment of approximately 639 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge?
The student-teacher ratio at Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge rank in AL?
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge is ranked #9 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge's MySchoolScout rating?
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge has a composite rating of 9.6 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 Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge has 62.0% math proficiency and 90.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge a charter school?
No, Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge a Title I school?
No, Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge?
13.9% of students at Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge 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. City-level (Vestavia Hills). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 639
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (205) 402-5325
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Vestavia Hills City- District Enrollment
- 6,937
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,810
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
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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