Virgil Grissom High School
Virgil Grissom High School serves 1,902 students in grades 9-12.
Virgil Grissom High School placed in the top 30% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 20%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 55% (which is higher than the Alabama state average of 47%) for the 2018-19 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 61% (which is higher than the Alabama state average of 45%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is lower than the Alabama state average of 47% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2022)
- Grades: 9-12
- Students: 1,902 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 41%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Btm 50% in AL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 55% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 61% (Top 20%)
- 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
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Virgil Grissom High School's student population of 1,902 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 100 teachers has grown by 6% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,902 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
100 teachers
Students by Grade
School Calendar
School Rankings
Virgil Grissom High School is ranked within the top 30% of all 1,263 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2018-19 school year.
The diversity score of Virgil Grissom High School is 0.61, which is equal to the diversity score at state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#263 out of 1263 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
47%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
45%
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
17:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
3%
2%
Hispanic
15%
9%
Black
16%
32%
White
59%
53%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
87%
91%
National School Lunch Program
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
26%
48%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: 2020-2021 (latest school year available) 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.
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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Nearby Homes for Sale
-
11313 DELLCREST DR
HUNTSVILLE, AL$315,000- 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths
- (2.16 miles from school)
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14018 ASTALOT DR SE
HUNTSVILLE, AL$225,000- 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths
- (3.13 miles from school)
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52 SE NATURES RIDGE WAY
HUNTSVILLE, AL$859,900- 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths
- (4.65 miles from school)
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2411 YORKSHIRE DR SW
HUNTSVILLE, AL$225,000- 3 Beds | 1.5 Baths
- (4.91 miles from school)
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