Shades Valley High School is a four-year public secondary school in the Birmingham, Alabama suburb of Irondale. The school was established in 1948 near Homewood and moved to its present location in 1996. SVHS is the largest of 14 high schools in the Jefferson County School District.
Serving 1,122 students in grades 9-12, Shades Valley High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 22% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 29%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 35% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is equal to the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Alabama state average of 49% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,122 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 94% (Top 20% in AL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 22% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 35% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 34% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Shades Valley High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Diversity
School Overview
Shades Valley High School's student population of 1,122 students has declined by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 67 teachers has declined by 10% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,122 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
67 teachers
Year Founded
1948
School Rankings
Shades Valley High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,285 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Shades Valley High School is 0.63, which is equal to the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#725 out of 1285 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
29%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
38%
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
1%
Hispanic
23%
11%
Black
53%
32%
White
21%
51%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
94%
88%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
60%
56%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- Shades Valley High School is a high school located in Irondale, Alabama. The school was established in 1948. The Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School is located on the same campus. Dabbs Technical Academy is located several miles away on a different campus. The school's academies include business, theater, and technical. Because of the draw from the county, SVHS/JCIB serves a diverse student body population. SVHS/JCIB serves grades 9-12. The administration is comprised of a principal and four assistant principals, one who primarily serves at JCIB. SVHS/JCIB colors are maroon and black, and the athletic teams are called the "Mounties". SVHS/JCIB has a variety of clubs which meet on alternate Tuesdays during Club Day. Sports include football, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys tennis and golf, girls volleyball, track, boys soccer, baseball and girls softball. The soccer team won the state championship in 2006. The SVHS/JCIB drama department is noted nationally as being one of the primier programs for drama. There have been many successful graduates of SVHS/JCIB including politicians and government officials, professionals in law, education, business, and medicine.
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shades Valley High School's ranking?
Shades Valley High School is ranked #725 out of 1,285 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Shades Valley High School often compared to?
Shades Valley High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Hoover High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
22% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 29% AL state average), while 35% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Shades Valley High School?
The graduation rate of Shades Valley High School is 94%, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 88%.
How many students attend Shades Valley High School?
1,122 students attend Shades Valley High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
53% of Shades Valley High School students are Black, 23% of students are Hispanic, 21% of students are White, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Shades Valley High School?
Shades Valley High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is equal to the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Shades Valley High School offer ?
Shades Valley High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Shades Valley High School part of?
Shades Valley High School is part of Jefferson County School District.
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