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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Shelby County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 49 public schools serving 34,817 students in Shelby County, AL (there are 19 private schools, serving 3,853 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Shelby County, AL are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%). Shelby County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Alabama.
The top-ranked public schools in Shelby County, AL are Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park, Mt Laurel Elementary School and Greystone Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby County, AL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the Alabama public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Shelby County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 1% of Alabama public schools.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Alabama public school average of 50% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Shelby County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park
(Math: 80% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
17051 Liberty Pkwy
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 402-5400
Gr: PK-5 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Mt Laurel Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1 Jefferson Place
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 682-7230
Gr: K-5 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #33.
Greystone Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
300 Village Street
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 439-3200
Gr: PK-5 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #44.
Oak Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5640 Cahaba Valley Rd
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 682-5230
Gr: PK-3 | 675 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #55.
Inverness Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5251 Valleydale Rd
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 682-5240
Gr: PK-3 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #66.
Oak Mountain Intermediate School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5486 Caldwell Mill Rd
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 682-5220
Gr: 4-5 | 636 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #77.
Meadow View Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2800 Smokey Rd
Alabaster, AL 35007
(205) 685-4300
Gr: PK-3 | 953 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #88.
Liberty Park Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
17035 Liberty Pkwy
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 402-5450
Gr: 6-8 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #99.
Creek View Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
8568 Highway 17
Alabaster, AL 35114
(205) 685-6100
Gr: PK-3 | 958 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1010.
Forest Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1000 Hornet Parkway
Chelsea, AL 35043
(205) 682-7220
Gr: K-5 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1111.
Chelsea Park Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
9000 Chelsea Park Trail
Chelsea, AL 35043
(205) 682-6700
Gr: K-5 | 891 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1212.
Helena Intermediate School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3500 Hwy 52
Helena, AL 35080
(205) 682-5520
Gr: 3-5 | 955 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1313.
Oak Mountain Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5650 Cahaba Valley Rd
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 682-5210
Gr: 6-8 | 1,168 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1414.
Berry Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4500 Jaguar Dr
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 439-2000
Gr: 6-12 | 1,058 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1515.
Chelsea Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2321 Highway 39
Chelsea, AL 35043
(205) 682-7210
Gr: 6-8 | 831 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1616.
Wilsonville Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
71 School St
Wilsonville, AL 35186
(205) 682-6640
Gr: PK-5 | 229 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1717.
Shelby Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
19099 Highway 145
Shelby, AL 35143
(205) 682-6630
Gr: PK-5 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1818.
Thompson Intermediate School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1509 Kent Dairy Rd
Alabaster, AL 35007
(205) 685-6200
Gr: 4-5 | 901 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1919.
Oak Mountain High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5476 Caldwell Mill Rd
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 682-5200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,648 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2020.
Pelham Oaks
(Math: 41% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2200 Highway 33
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 624-3703
Gr: PK-5 | 750 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2121.
Spain Park High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4700 Jaguar Drive
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 439-1400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,472 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2222.
Pelham Ridge
(Math: 37% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
251 Applegate Parkway
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 624-3704
Gr: PK-5 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2323.
Vincent Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
40800 Highway 25
Vincent, AL 35178
(205) 682-7320
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2424.
Thompson Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
100 Warrior Drive
Alabaster, AL 35007
(205) 685-8100
Gr: 6-8 | 1,444 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2525.
Pelham Park Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2016 Pelham Park Boulevard
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 624-3702
Gr: 6-8 | 835 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2626.
Helena Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1299 Hillsboro Parkway
Helena, AL 35080
(205) 682-5300
Gr: 6-8 | 957 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2727.
Montevallo Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
171 Jeter Cir
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 682-6420
Gr: K-5 | 758 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Calera Intermediate School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8454 Highway 31 South
Calera, AL 35040
(205) 682-6500
Gr: 3-5 | 747 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Elvin Hill Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 Washington St
Columbiana, AL 35051
(205) 682-6620
Gr: K-5 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #3030.
Helena High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1310 Hillsboro Parkway
Helena, AL 35080
(205) 682-3650
Gr: 9-12 | 1,383 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #3131.
Chelsea High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10510 Highway 11
Chelsea, AL 35043
(205) 682-7200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,235 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #3232.
Columbiana Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
222 Joinertown Road
Columbiana, AL 35051
(205) 682-6610
Gr: 6-8 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #3333.
Pelham High School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2500 Panther Cir
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 624-3701
Gr: 9-12 | 1,076 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #3434.
Thompson High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1921 Warrior Parkway
Alabaster, AL 35007
(205) 685-6700
Gr: 9-12 | 2,060 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #3535.
Montevallo Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
235 Samford St
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 682-6410
Gr: 6-8 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Show 14 more public schools in Shelby County, AL (out of 49 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Shelby County, AL?
How many public schools are located in Shelby County?
46 public schools are located in Shelby County.
What percentage of students in Shelby County go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Shelby County are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby County?
Shelby County public schools minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Alabama public schools average of 50% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Shelby County are often viewed compared to one another?

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