Average
#887 of 1,356 schools in AL
Virgil Grissom High School
High School · Huntsville City
1001 Haysland Road, Huntsville, AL 35802
Enrollment
1,885
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,885
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Huntsville
#34 of 47
public schools
Alabama high schools
#88 of 308
In district
#32 of 43
Huntsville City
About Virgil Grissom High School
Virgil Grissom High School serves 1,885 students in grades 9-12 in Huntsville, Alabama, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1 across 101 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school ranks #611 out of 1,360 Alabama high schools, placing it in the 55th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. Academically, Grissom shows room for growth, with 45% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and 32% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 6.6 out of 10 reflects opportunities for continued improvement in student achievement across core subject areas. Located on Haysland Road, Grissom High School sits in a well-established area of Huntsville where the median household income reaches $68,352 and half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 35802 ZIP code is home to 23,508 people, with a relatively low poverty rate of 8.5% and median home values of $289,600.
This mid-size city setting provides students with access to both suburban amenities and the educational and professional opportunities that come with Huntsville's reputation as a technology and aerospace hub.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Virgil Grissom High School — Students at Virgil Grissom High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.6/10.
How Virgil Grissom High School Compares
See how Virgil Grissom High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 45% (2022).
Location
1001 Haysland Road, Huntsville, AL 35802
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Virgil Grissom High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Whitesburg Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountain Gap Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Weatherly Heights Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35802 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,195
Median Home Value
$319,900
Median Rent
$1,051/mo
Population
23,304
College Educated
50.5%
Homeownership
53.2%
Avg Commute
17.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Virgil Grissom High School has a median household income of $72,195. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $319,900, with a median rent of $1,051/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Murphy High School Mobile, AL | 5.9 |
| Baker High School Mobile, AL | 5.8 |
| Buckhorn High School New Market, AL | 5.8 |
| Spanish Fort High School Spanish Fort, AL | 5.8 |
| Thompson High School Alabaster, AL | 5.8 |
| Helena High School Helena, AL | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Virgil Grissom High School
What grades does Virgil Grissom High School serve?
Virgil Grissom High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Virgil Grissom High School?
Virgil Grissom High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,885 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Virgil Grissom High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Virgil Grissom High School is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Virgil Grissom High School rank in AL?
Virgil Grissom High School is ranked #887 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Virgil Grissom High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Virgil Grissom High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Virgil Grissom High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Virgil Grissom High School has 40.3% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Virgil Grissom High School a charter school?
No, Virgil Grissom High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Virgil Grissom High School a Title I school?
No, Virgil Grissom High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Virgil Grissom High School?
42.9% of students at Virgil Grissom 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
- Walk Score
- 13 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 26 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,879/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huntsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,885
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 101
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Madison County
- Phone
- (256) 428-8000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Huntsville City- District Enrollment
- 23,649
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,146
- District Rank
- #32 of 43
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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