Average
#640 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 47% in state
West End Academy
Elementary School · Birmingham City
1840 Pearson Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
Enrollment
530
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
530
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Birmingham
#31 of 58
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#530 of 696
In district
#21 of 42
Birmingham City
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About West End Academy
West End Academy is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Birmingham, Alabama. With an enrollment of 530 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.4:1, the school benefits from a dedicated staff of 26 full-time equivalent teachers. West End Academy is located in a mid-size city, and its setting reflects a diverse and tight-knit community.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 2.6 out of 10, placing it in the 4th percentile among Alabama schools. Academically, West End Academy is focusing on student development, with 22% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 2% proficient or above in Math. While these scores suggest room for improvement, the school is committed to supporting its students and community.
The neighborhood around West End Academy is characterized by a median household income of $32,677 and a median home value of $89,100. Approximately 35.6% of the population lives below the poverty line, and about 21% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. Despite these challenges, the community is close-knit and supportive, with many local families dedicated to their children’s education and well-being.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at West End Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at West End Academy is 20.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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West End Academy — Students at West End Academy score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.7%
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: 9.4/10.
How West End Academy Compares
See how West End Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 16% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
1840 Pearson Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West End Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Charles A Brown Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Princeton School (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Richard Arrington Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$34,286
Median Home Value
$94,500
Median Rent
$1,044/mo
Population
25,267
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
40.3%
Avg Commute
25.6 min
Poverty Rate
33.8%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding West End Academy has a median household income of $34,286. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,500, with a median rent of $1,044/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Carver School of Mathematics Science and Technology Dothan, AL | 6.7 |
| East Lawrence Elementary School Trinity, AL | 6.7 |
| Elba Elementary School Elba, AL | 6.7 |
| Erwin Intermediate School Center Point, AL | 6.7 |
| Fairfax Elementary School Valley, AL | 6.7 |
| Lynn Fanning Elementary School Meridianville, AL | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West End Academy
What grades does West End Academy serve?
West End Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend West End Academy?
West End Academy has an enrollment of approximately 530 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West End Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at West End Academy is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West End Academy rank in AL?
West End Academy is ranked #640 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is West End Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
West End Academy has a composite rating of 6.7 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 West End Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West End Academy has 6.3% math proficiency and 37.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West End Academy a charter school?
No, West End Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West End Academy a Title I school?
No, West End Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West End Academy?
84.7% of students at West End Academy 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
- City Safety
- High (5,331/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Birmingham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 530
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (205) 231-1742
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Birmingham City- District Enrollment
- 20,884
- Schools in District
- 49
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,201
- District Rank
- #21 of 42
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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