Shelby County Schools & Education
Shelby County, Alabama
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
59/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
95.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
95.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 90.7%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,510
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,270
School Score
59/100
Higher = better
State avg 40/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#3
of 67 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Shelby County
School Verdict
Shelby County performs at an average level with a school score of 59/100 and a solid graduation rate of 95.6%.
Funding Context
At $6,510 per pupil, Shelby County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Shelby County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 46% above the Alabama average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 4.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Shelby County, Alabama
A Robust Educational Network
Shelby County supports a massive infrastructure of 46 public schools serving 35,800 students. This extensive system includes 22 elementary, 10 middle, and 13 high schools spread across three distinct districts.
Top-Tier Graduation and Performance Scores
The county achieves an impressive 95.6% graduation rate, significantly higher than the national 87.0% average. Its 55.4 school score leads the state average, backed by $6,510 in per-pupil spending.
Shelby County and Alabaster City Lead
The Shelby County district is the largest with 21,179 students, followed by Alabaster City with 6,425 students and Pelham City with 3,425. No charter schools operate in these districts, focusing resources on traditional public institutions.
Large Suburban Campuses Define the Experience
The county features 22 suburban and 18 rural schools, with an average school size of 833 students. Thompson High School stands as the largest campus with 2,203 students, offering a large-scale, comprehensive high school environment.
Home Buying for Educational Excellence
With some of the highest graduation rates in Alabama, Shelby County is a premier destination for families. Consider the proximity to top-performing districts like Alabaster City and Pelham City when choosing your next home.
School Overview
Total Schools
46
in Shelby County
Total Enrollment
35,800
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Shelby County
Shelby County
Alabaster City
Pelham City
46 Public Schools in Shelby County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson High School | Alabaster City | 9–12 | High | 2,203 |
| Oak Mountain High School | Shelby County | 9–12 | High | 1,561 |
| Spain Park High School | Hoover City | 9–12 | High | 1,503 |
| Thompson Middle School | Alabaster City | 6–8 | Middle | 1,434 |
| Helena High School | Shelby County | 9–12 | High | 1,418 |
| Chelsea High School | Shelby County | 9–12 | High | 1,400 |
| Oak Mountain Middle School | Shelby County | 6–8 | Middle | 1,175 |
| Robert F Bumpus Middle School | Hoover City | 6–8 | Middle | 1,128 |
| Berry Middle School | Hoover City | 6–8 | Middle | 1,113 |
| Pelham High School | Pelham City | 9–12 | High | 1,080 |
| Calera High | Shelby County | 9–12 | High | 1,066 |
| Helena Middle | Shelby County | 6–8 | Middle | 1,035 |
| Chelsea Middle School | Shelby County | 6–8 | Middle | 951 |
| Creek View Elementary School | Alabaster City | PK–3 | Primary | 946 |
| Helena Intermediate School | Shelby County | 3–5 | Primary | 945 |
| Meadow View Elementary School | Alabaster City | PK–3 | Primary | 944 |
| Thompson Intermediate School | Alabaster City | 4–5 | Primary | 898 |
| Helena Elementary School | Shelby County | KG–2 | Primary | 868 |
| Chelsea Park Elementary School | Shelby County | PK–5 | Primary | 867 |
| Pelham Park Middle School | Pelham City | 6–8 | Middle | 808 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,510
State avg $6,270
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Shelby County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Shelby County?
How much does Shelby County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Shelby County, Alabama — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Shelby County, Alabama?
Shelby County supports a massive infrastructure of 46 public schools serving 35,800 students. This extensive system includes 22 elementary, 10 middle, and 13 high schools spread across three distinct districts.
How do schools in Shelby County perform academically?
The county achieves an impressive 95.6% graduation rate, significantly higher than the national 87.0% average. Its 55.4 school score leads the state average, backed by $6,510 in per-pupil spending.
What are the major school districts in Shelby County, Alabama?
The Shelby County district is the largest with 21,179 students, followed by Alabaster City with 6,425 students and Pelham City with 3,425. No charter schools operate in these districts, focusing resources on traditional public institutions.
What is the school experience like in Shelby County?
The county features 22 suburban and 18 rural schools, with an average school size of 833 students. Thompson High School stands as the largest campus with 2,203 students, offering a large-scale, comprehensive high school environment.
How can I find homes near good schools in Shelby County, Alabama?
With some of the highest graduation rates in Alabama, Shelby County is a premier destination for families. Consider the proximity to top-performing districts like Alabaster City and Pelham City when choosing your next home.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.