Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Middle Schools in Shelby County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Shelby County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public middle schools serving 8,937 students in Shelby County, AL. The top-ranked public middle schools in Shelby County, AL are Liberty Park Middle School, Oak Mountain Middle School and Berry Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby County, AL public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Alabama public middle school average of 23%), and reading proficiency score of 63% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Shelby County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 1% of Alabama public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Alabama public middle school average of 46% (majority Black).

Best Public Middle Schools in Shelby County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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%
Rank: #1010.
Calera Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
9178 Highway 22
Montevallo, AL 35115
(205) 682-6140
Gr: 6-8 | 767 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: n/an/a
Legacy Prep Intermediate
Charter School
2900 S Park Dr Sw
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 573-0777
Gr: 4-7 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: n/an/a
New Direction
Alternative School
701 Hwy 70
Alabaster, AL 35007
(205) 682-5910
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Star Program Middle School
Alternative School
2280 Highway 35
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 682-5800
Gr: 6-8

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Shelby County, AL?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Shelby County, AL include Liberty Park Middle School, Oak Mountain Middle School and Berry Middle School. Shelby County has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in Alabama.
How many public middle schools are located in Shelby County?
13 public middle schools are located in Shelby County.
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby County?
Shelby County public middle schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Alabama public middle schools average of 46% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Shelby County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (AL):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
 Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Alabama Top-Ranked Public Schools
Alabama Top-Ranked Public Schools
 Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes

More Articles

Teaching
Public School Policies
Scholarships
Parenting and Learning Issues
Opinion