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Excellent

#141 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 10% in state

Vestavia Hills Elementary West

Elementary School · Vestavia Hills City

1965 Merryvale Rd, Vestavia, AL 35216

Enrollment

720

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Vestavia

#2 of 6

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#133 of 696

In district

#4 of 9

Vestavia Hills City

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Vestavia Hills Elementary West

Vestavia Hills Elementary West is a public elementary school in Vestavia, AL, part of the Vestavia Hills City. The school serves approximately 720 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 89.7th percentile among AL schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 73% proficiency in math and 89% in reading/language arts, 2 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $73,125, where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84%
Reading vs. State Avg+1.2 pts
Overall Proficiency79%
Expected (poverty-adj.)71%
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,068

Vestavia Hills Elementary West — Students at Vestavia Hills Elementary West score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 88.7%
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
81%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
86%
2022
Math
73%
ELA
84%
2024
ELA
97.2%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Vestavia Hills Elementary West Compares

See how Vestavia Hills Elementary West performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in AL
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers

Location

1965 Merryvale Rd, Vestavia, AL 35216

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vestavia Hills Elementary West may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge (rated 9.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Vestavia Hills), which scores notably higher. Another option is Green Valley Elementary School (rated 9.4/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Shades Mountain Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Hoover), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Vestavia, see our Vestavia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus Vestavia Hills 0.9 mi 6.9
ASCENSION EPISCOPAL KINDERGARTEN Vestavia 0.9 mi
Vestavia Hills Elementary East Vestavia 1.1 mi 7.9
Vestavia Hills High School Vestavia 1.1 mi 7.7
ST MARK UNITED METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Birmingham 1.3 mi
Pizitz Middle School Vestavia 1.3 mi 8.8
Homewood High School Homewood 1.9 mi 8.8
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge Vestavia Hills 1.8 mi 9.6
Rocky Ridge Elementary School Hoover 2.1 mi 9.1
Shades Mountain Elementary School Hoover 2.0 mi 9.2
Green Valley Elementary School Hoover 2.8 mi 9.4
Edgewood Elementary School Homewood 2.9 mi 8.6
Hall Kent Elementary School Homewood 2.7 mi 8.4
OUR LADY OF SORROWS Birmingham 3.0 mi 6.0
JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham 2.6 mi 7.2
Shades Cahaba Elementary School Homewood 3.1 mi 7.8
HOOVER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hoover 3.1 mi 7.4
CREATIVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Birmingham 3.3 mi 7.4
Homewood Middle School Homewood 3.3 mi 7.4
GREEN VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH Hoover 3.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35216 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,125

Median Home Value

$376,200

Median Rent

$1,314/mo

Population

36,587

College Educated

52.7%

Homeownership

54.7%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

34.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vestavia Hills Elementary West has a median household income of $73,125. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $376,200, with a median rent of $1,314/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Arab Primary School Arab, AL 8.4
Center Point Elementary School Birmingham, AL 8.4
Coosada Elementary School Millbrook, AL 8.4
Flatwoods Elementary School Northport, AL 8.4
Hall Kent Elementary School Homewood, AL 8.4
Horizon Elementary School Madison, AL 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vestavia Hills Elementary West

What grades does Vestavia Hills Elementary West serve?

Vestavia Hills Elementary West serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Vestavia Hills Elementary West?

Vestavia Hills Elementary West has an enrollment of approximately 720 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vestavia Hills Elementary West?

The student-teacher ratio at Vestavia Hills Elementary West is 13.8:1. 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 West rank in AL?

Vestavia Hills Elementary West is ranked #141 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Vestavia Hills Elementary West's MySchoolScout rating?

Vestavia Hills Elementary West has a composite rating of 8.4 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 West?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vestavia Hills Elementary West has 72.7% math proficiency and 88.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vestavia Hills Elementary West a charter school?

No, Vestavia Hills Elementary West is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Vestavia Hills Elementary West a Title I school?

No, Vestavia Hills Elementary West is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vestavia Hills Elementary West?

16.2% of students at Vestavia Hills Elementary West 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

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (506/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Jefferson County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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