Vestavia Hills High School, founded in 1970, is a public high school in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, USA. It is part of the Vestavia Hills City Schools. A number of teachers in the school are Nationally Board Certified, and two are nationally recognized James Madison Scholars.
Serving 1,625 students in grades 10-12, Vestavia Hills High School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 69% (which is higher than the Alabama state average of 30%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 68% (which is higher than the Alabama state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is lower than the Alabama state average of 50% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 10-12
- Enrollment: 1,625 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 18%
- Graduation Rate: ≥99% (Top 1% in AL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10%
- Math Proficiency: 69% (Top 5%)
- Reading Proficiency: 68% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 75% (Top 5%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Vestavia Hills High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
Student Attention
School Overview
Vestavia Hills High School's student population of 1,625 students has grown by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 117 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 10-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,625 students
Total Classroom Teachers
117 teachers
Year Founded
1970
Colors
Blue, Red
School Calendar
School Rankings
Vestavia Hills High School ranks within the top 10% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Vestavia Hills High School is 0.32, which is less 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
#81 out of 1275 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
69%
30%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
7%
2%
Hispanic
4%
12%
Black
5%
31%
White
82%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥99%
88%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
9%
53%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
1%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- Vestavia Hills High School (VHHS), founded in 1970, is a public high school in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham. Part of the Vestavia Hills School System, the high school is known primarily for the success of its band, math, debate, and baseball teams.
- The creation of an independent school system was a landmark event in the history of Vestavia Hills and their quality is locally recognized as the city's greatest asset. The high school, which is noted for excellence nationally as well as on a statewide level, is also an asset to a region not recognized for committing adequate resources to primary education.
- The school mascot is the Rebel (a cartoon depiction of a "Southern gentleman" patterned after the University of Mississippi mascot). Occasional controversy about the use of the Rebel mascot has not made much impact in Vestavia Hills, which has an overwhelmingly white student body. The name "Rebels", the mascot, the Confederate battle flag(though not the school's official flag) as a rallying symbol was the subject of a school board debate in November 2000. After hearing many opinions, mostly in favor of keeping these symbols, the board took the advice of its legal counsel and made no new policy. The use of the flag, once common, is now strongly discouraged and remains a divisive issue among students.
- However, the school has renewed the issue recently by giving out free school flags at a recent pep rally. This school flag was designed over 10 years ago, but failed to garner the attention of the student body. The second attempt has proved much more successful, with students readily accepting and vaunting the flag.
- Academic Achievements: Vestavia's math team has dominated national competition for more than a decade. The team has earned 15 first-place and 2 second-place finishes in their 17 National Mu Alpha Theta Convention competitions. Most recently, Vestavia's math team won first place recognition in the national competition in Fort Collins, Colorado in July 2006. Other successes include four victories at the regional Furman University Wylie Mathematics Tournament from 1999-2004.
- The debate team, winners of seven national championships, has the distinction of being the first team in history to win both the Lincoln-Douglas Debate and the Policy Debate in the National Forensic League championships. Vestavia is also the only school to have two national champions in Lincoln-Douglas debate.
- Vestavia's "We The People Team" won the Alabama state competition and placed 4th at the National Competition in Washington, D.C. in 2006. We The People is a mock constitutional debate program, and the National Competition showcased all fifty of the state champion teams. The team was led by Amy Maddox, who led her team to a 4th place finish after competing in the We The People program for just five years.
- Compared to the vast majority of public high schools in Alabama, Vestavia sends high percentage of graduating seniors to elite out-of-state schools. Recently, Vestavia has become a de facto feeder school for Vanderbilt University, and many graduates are currently attending Ivy Leagues, such as Harvard, Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, as well as other elites like Stanford, MIT, and Duke.
- Vestavia's newspaper, The Vedette, received the All-Alabama award for the 2005-2006 school year. The All-Alabama award, sponsored by the Alabama Scholastic Press Association is the highest award that can be given to a high school newspaper in Alabama.
- Vestavia has a long-standing tradition of a quality music department. Both the band and choir have won numerous state and regional awards, and consistently place best-in-class in competition. Vestavia's jazz program, in particular, has been notable since its founding by bandleader Ted Galloway.
- Athletic Achievements: Vestavia has also produced a legacy of athletic accomplishment. The baseball team, under late Coach Sammy Dunn, won nine state titles in the highest division of competition, including seven straight from 1994-2000 and the 1998 national championship. Dunn's 27-year record at Vestavia was 647-146. The football team won state championships in 1980 and 1998. The wrestling, soccer, golf and tennis teams have also enjoyed notable successes.
- Faculty: Nine of Vestavia Hills High School's teachers have achieved "National Board Certification" with seven more on track to be certified.
- Outstanding teaching staff include Kay Tipton, chair of the math department since 1989, who has won Cornell University's Outstanding High School Educator Award, the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award, and received the White House Commission of Presidential Scholars Distinguished Teacher Award three times.
- Former Debate Coach, Marilee Dukes was inducted to the National Forensics League Hall of Fame in 2004. She is also in the Tournament of Champions Coaches Hall of Fame. Dukes coached at Alabama’s Vestavia Hills High School for over twenty years and made the program one of the powerhouses of the 1990s. Her students have claimed the championships and top speaker awards at every major national tournament during her tenure, and she has coached debaters to finals at the Tournament of Champions an unprecedented seven times. She is one of ten coaches honored by having a debate round in the Barkley Forum for High Schools at Emory University named after her.
- Former Band Director Ted Galloway not only conducted performing groups of consistently high quality, but also brought many legendary jazz musicians, such as Urbie Green to the school for performances.
- Alumni: Notable alumni include: Colter Bean (1995), Major League Baseball pitcher (New York Yankees).
- Tanner Colby (1993), writer, producer "National Lampoon Radio Hour" & Belushi: A Biography.
- Josh Hancock (1996), Major League Baseball pitcher (St. Louis Cardinals).
- Chris Hammond (1984), Major League Baseball pitcher (Cincinnati Reds).
- Jo S. Kittinger, children's book author.
- Michael Papajohn (1983), actor.
- Susan Patterson, opera soprano.
- Jeanne Wilson, three-time world champion wheelchair weightlifter.
- Rebecca Moore, Miss Alabama USA 2007.
- Grant Gannon (1999) Publisher [RebelSports.net].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vestavia Hills High School's ranking?
Vestavia Hills High School is ranked #81 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Vestavia Hills High School often compared to?
Vestavia Hills High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Mountain Brook High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
69% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 68% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Vestavia Hills High School?
The graduation rate of Vestavia Hills High School is 99%, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 88%.
How many students attend Vestavia Hills High School?
1,625 students attend Vestavia Hills High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
82% of Vestavia Hills High School students are White, 7% of students are Asian, 5% of students are Black, 4% of students are Hispanic, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Vestavia Hills High School?
Vestavia Hills High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Vestavia Hills High School offer ?
Vestavia Hills High School offers enrollment in grades 10-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Vestavia Hills High School part of?
Vestavia Hills High School is part of Vestavia Hills City School District.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
Academics are down from what they were years back. Disapointed with how much trouble these students are getting into compared to surrounding schools.
5 10/10/2025
Today's students are in no more trouble than students of previous years. Vestavia parents have always been active in the schools. They especially get involved when they hear of students moving in the wrong direction. Taking action when needed brings about support that the schools, students, teachers, and parents want and need. There will always be students who misbehave and head down the wrong path. The schools do their best to help students learn to make the best choices.
Review Vestavia Hills 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.
