Virgil I. Grissom High School, more commonly referred to as Grissom High School, is a public high school in Huntsville, Alabama, United States with approximately 2000 students in grades 9–12 from Southeast Huntsville. The school was named a 2007 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
Serving 1,885 students in grades 9-12, Virgil Grissom High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 32% (which is higher than the Alabama state average of 29%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 45% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is lower than the Alabama state average of 49% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,885 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 45%
- Graduation Rate: 93% (Top 20% in AL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 32% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 45% (Top 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 46% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Virgil Grissom High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Diversity
School Overview
Virgil Grissom High School's student population of 1,885 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 101 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,885 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
101 teachers
Year Founded
1969
Colors
White, Brown, Orange
School Rankings
Virgil Grissom High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,285 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Virgil Grissom High School is 0.64, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#490 out of 1285 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
29%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
38%
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
3%
1%
Hispanic
19%
11%
Black
16%
32%
White
55%
51%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
7%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
93%
88%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
41%
56%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
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.
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Virgil Grissom High School's ranking?
Virgil Grissom High School is ranked #490 out of 1,285 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?
32% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 29% 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 93%, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 88%.
How many students attend Virgil Grissom High School?
1,885 students attend Virgil Grissom High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
55% of Virgil Grissom High School students are White, 19% of students are Hispanic, 16% 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 19:1, 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
5 2/21/2019
Wonderful school and arts programs. I learned so much and took pride in what I was taught.
2 4/16/2018
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
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