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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Shelby County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public high schools serving 11,783 students in Shelby County, AL. The top-ranked public high schools in Shelby County, AL are Berry Middle School, Oak Mountain High School and Spain Park High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby County, AL public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Alabama public high school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 38% statewide average). High schools in Shelby County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Alabama public high schools.
Shelby County, AL public high school have a Graduation Rate of 95%, which is more than the Alabama average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Thompson High School, with 98% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Alabama or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Alabama public high school average of 47% (majority Black).

Best Public High Schools in Shelby County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
Shelby County High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
101 Washington St
Columbiana, AL 35051
(205) 682-6600
Gr: 9-12 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #99.
Vincent Middle High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
42505 Highway 25
Vincent, AL 35178
(205) 682-7300
Gr: 6-12 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1010.
Calera High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
100 Calera Eagle Drive
Calera, AL 35040
(205) 682-6100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,018 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1111.
Linda Nolen Learning Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2280 Highwy 35
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 682-5800
Gr: PK-12 | 78 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1212.
Montevallo High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
980 Oak St
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 682-6400
Gr: 9-12 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: n/an/a
Career Technical Education Center
Vocational School
701 Highway 70
Columbiana, AL 35051
(205) 682-6650
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
New Direction
Alternative School
701 Hwy 70
Alabaster, AL 35007
(205) 682-5910
Gr: 6-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Shelby County, AL?
The top-ranked public high schools in Shelby County, AL include Berry Middle School, Oak Mountain High School and Spain Park High School. Shelby County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Alabama.
How many public high schools are located in Shelby County?
12 public high schools are located in Shelby County.
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby County?
Shelby County public high schools minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Alabama public high schools average of 47% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Shelby County are often viewed compared to one another?

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