Virgil Grissom High School ranked #544 in Alabama in 2023, declining from #35 in 2012, placing it in the top 50% of state public schools but showing a downward trend over the years.
Math proficiency was 30% in 2023, approximately equal to the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 45%, lower than the state average of 47%, and science proficiency was 46%, higher than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment increased to 1,885 students with a stable student–teacher ratio of 19:1; minority enrollment comprised 45% of the student body, reflecting considerable diversity for a Union County NJ high school.
The school serves grades 9–12, maintaining a graduation rate of 94% in 2023, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 88%, but overall test score performance has weakened in recent years.
Free or reduced–price lunch eligibility rose to 44% in 2023, indicating an increase in economically disadvantaged students compared to previous years.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,847 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 48%
- Graduation Rate: 94% (Top 30% in AL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 30% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 45% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 46% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Virgil Grissom High School serves the southeast part of Huntsville, AL, covering an area of approximately 33.9 square miles. Most students live within a 10-12 minute drive of the school, with an average distance of 4.7 miles from the school to the edge of the attendance zone, which extends up to 8.4 miles at its furthest point.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Virgil Grissom High School's student population of 1,847 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 100 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,847 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
100 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1969
School Calendar
School Rankings
Virgil Grissom High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Virgil Grissom 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
#544 out of 1275 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
30%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
17:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
3%
2%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
21%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Black
17%
31%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
White
52%
50%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
7%
4%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
94%
90%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)27.7%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
35%
53%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
Showing 2014–2024. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
White, Brown, Orange
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- Virgil I. Grissom High School is a public 9th through 12th grade high school in Huntsville, Alabama. It is known academically as one of Alabama's finest public high schools.
- The high school's building is well-known for having no windows. This was changed, however, with the addition of a new science wing in 1997. This added about 5 windows to the school. Grissom's building is divided into "pods", lettered A-H on the first floor and AA-HH on the second. The building itself follows a roughly octagonal format. Students jokingly refer to the school as "Grissom Penitentiary" because of the symmetric design.
- Grissom is also home to many productive sports teams.The school also has numerous social, academic, and athletic organizations, or clubs.
- Academically, the school has had much success. Grissom's math teams and academic team are among the best in the state of Alabama, and they have also earned national recognition.
- The school is named for astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom, and its mascot is affectionately called "Gus." Gus Grissom was nearly drowned during a space capsule retrieval in the Pacific Ocean when the hatches prematurely opened following explosive bolt actuation. He was killed in the Apollo 1 fire at Cape Kennedy on January 27, 1967. It is unfortunate that his death has been so controversal having followed his whistleblower type activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Virgil Grissom High School's ranking?
Virgil Grissom High School is ranked #544 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Virgil Grissom High School often compared to?
Virgil Grissom High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Huntsville High School, Bob Jones High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
30% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 45% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Virgil Grissom High School?
The graduation rate of Virgil Grissom High School is 94%, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 90%.
How many students attend Virgil Grissom High School?
1,847 students attend Virgil Grissom High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
52% of Virgil Grissom High School students are White, 21% of students are Hispanic, 17% of students are Black, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Virgil Grissom High School?
Virgil Grissom High School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Virgil Grissom High School offer ?
Virgil Grissom High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Virgil Grissom High School part of?
Virgil Grissom High School is part of Huntsville City School District.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
the schools show little interest in the wants/needs of students.There is loads of bullying. Teachers do not explain things well enough to students
5 10/10/2025
Wonderful school and arts programs. I learned so much and took pride in what I was taught.
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