Hoover High School ranked #303 in Alabama in 2023, declining from a peak rank of #67 in 2010 and showing a general downward trend in overall state ranking over the last decade.
Math proficiency was 51% in 2023, higher than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency stood at 51%, approximately equal to the state average of 47%; science proficiency was 58%, higher than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment grew slightly to 2,884 students in 2023 with minority enrollment about 49%; the percentage of students eligible for free lunch increased from 2% in 2001 to 28% in 2023.
The school serves grades 9–12 with a student–teacher ratio of 16:1 and a graduation rate of 95%, which is higher than the state average of 88%.
Hoover High School is a Title I eligible, diverse Union County NJ high school with stable staffing of 182 teachers in 2023 and no virtual instruction offered.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,919 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 95% (Top 30% in AL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 51% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 51% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 58% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Hoover High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Diversity
School Overview
Hoover High School's student population of 2,919 students has grown by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 185 teachers has declined by 9% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
2,919 students
Total Classroom Teachers
185 teachers
Year Founded
1994
Colors
White, Black, Orange
School Calendar
School Rankings
Hoover High School ranks within the top 30% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Hoover High School is 0.66, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#303 out of 1275 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
30%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
8%
2%
Hispanic
11%
12%
Black
27%
31%
White
50%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
95%
88%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
26%
53%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: The Buccaneers
- This school takes its name from the city, which was named after founder William Hoover and not the former U.S. president.
- For high schools named after Herbert Hoover, see Herbert Hoover High School.
- Hoover High School is a public high school in Hoover, Alabama, USA, serving grades 9-12. Formerly known as W. A. Berry High School, it was renamed when it was moved to a new campus. It is currently the one of the two International Baccalaureate schools in the Greater Birmingham Area.
- Notable alumni: Notable alumni include:
- Murry Bartow, basketball coach formerly at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
- Jeff Brantley, former ESPN baseball analyst.
- Taylor Hicks, 2006 American Idol winner.
- Chad Jackson, New England Patriots wide reciever.
- Will Pearson, founder of mental_floss magazine.
- Heather Whitestone, 1995 Miss America.
- John Parker Wilson, football player and quarterback at the University of Alabama.
- Alex Binder, Dwarn "Repete" Smith, Kristin Boyle, and Max Lerner, featured on MTV's Two-A-Days. (Ross Wilson, also featured on the show, is not yet an alumnus — he is the quarterback of the current HHS football team, and is scheduled to graduate at the end of the 2006-07 school year.)
- Academics: Hoover is home to ten National Merit Semi-Finalists in 2006, one of which made a perfect score on the PSAT.
- Athletics: Hoover High School plays in the Division 6A of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), and uses the nickname "Buccaneers." In football, it has been nationally ranked by USA Today and has won the state championship in five of the last six years, including the last four in a row, under the direction of head coach Rush Propst. Before the start of the 2006 season, Hoover was ranked #1 in the nation by USA Today and Sports Illustrated, a ranking it maintained until being defeated 28-14 by #6 ranked John Curtis Christian High School of River Ridge, Louisiana on ESPNU High School Showcase September 29.
- Hoover, the second-largest school in Alabama (by student population), has won over 41 state championships in 19 sports in the last 10 years. Hoover has made an overall appearance in 21 state championship playoffs.
- The 2005 football team is featured on the MTV show Two-A-Days. Season two for the Two-A-Days show, showcasing the 2006 football team, is currently being filmed at the school.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hoover High School's ranking?
Hoover High School is ranked #303 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Alabama.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
51% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 51% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Hoover High School?
The graduation rate of Hoover High School is 95%, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 88%.
How many students attend Hoover High School?
2,919 students attend Hoover High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
50% of Hoover High School students are White, 27% of students are Black, 11% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Asian, and 4% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Hoover High School?
Hoover High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Hoover High School offer ?
Hoover High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Hoover High School part of?
Hoover High School is part of Hoover City School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
My son is now a junior and I couldn't be happier with this school. In fact, the entire Hoover school system. The school gives students a great sense of pride and a desire to be the best that they can be.
2 10/10/2025
My daughter is a Junior in the special education program. I could not tell you how unhappy and frustrated this pass years have been. Since she started 9th grade it has been a battle trying to get them to include her and every other child in the class. Its more upsetting that they don't understand that every child has the right to learn more academics not just vocational regardless of disability.
Review Hoover High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
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
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
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
