Vestavia Hills Schools Shine Again with Impressive Report Card
In the lovely city of Vestavia Hills, excitement is buzzing as the local school system has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence in education! For the second year in a row, the Vestavia Hills City Schools have scored a phenomenal 97 on their report card from the Alabama Department of Education. That’s right, folks! This makes them the proud holders of the second highest score among school districts in the entire state, just shy of the 98 achieved by Mountain Brook City Schools.
Highlights of the Report Card
With a total of 35 school districts earning an A for this academic year, which is an increase from 28 last year, it’s clear that quality education is on the rise! Notably, two of Vestavia Hills’ own—Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge and Vestavia Hills Elementary East—managed to achieve a perfect score of 100, up from 99 last year. Remarkably, they are among only 11 schools statewide that received a 100.
Let’s take a closer look at how individual schools performed this year compared to last:
- Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge: 100 (up from 99)
- Vestavia Hills Elementary East: 100 (up from 99)
- Vestavia Hills High School: 95
- Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park: 97 (down from 100)
It’s certainly heartening to see a total of five schools in the district improving their scores this year, even as one school experienced a slight decline. Overall, the district has demonstrated consistent growth and support for its students.
Academic Achievement on the Rise
The overall score for the district hasn’t just been thrown together haphazardly; it reflects various vital metrics including academic achievement, growth, graduation rates, attendance, and readiness for college and careers. This year, Vestavia Hills received an impressive 97.9 for academic achievement, soaring from 96.4 in 2023!
Most demographic groups saw their scores advance, with the one exception being students with limited English proficiency, whose academic achievement dropped from 63.6 to 56.4. However, here’s a silver lining: all demographic groups scored a perfect 100 in academic growth!
Graduation Rates and Readiness
In perhaps the most exciting news, the graduation rate jumped from 96.2% to an outstanding 99%. Breaking this down by demographic, we see:
- 100% for Asian and Black students
- 99% for white students
- 96.3% for students with disabilities
- 95.2% for economically disadvantaged students
In terms of college and career readiness, the percentage of students prepared for post-graduation life rose from 92.1% to 94.8%. For Asian students, that rate was a perfect 100%, while white students clocked in at 96%.
Changes in Student Population
Despite these educational triumphs, the student body size does reflect some changes. The number of students in the Vestavia Hills school system saw a decrease of 128 from 6,996 in fall 2022 to 6,868 in fall 2023, but then rose a bit to 6,881 this past fall.
In terms of demographics, it’s reported that 82% of the district is white, with 6.2% Asian, 4.7% Black, and 2.8% identifying with two or more races. Interestingly, about 10% are economically disadvantaged enough to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
A Community Effort
As we celebrate these accomplishments, it’s clear that education in Vestavia Hills is a community affair. From parents to teachers, everyone plays a part in shaping the future of their children, further enabling them to succeed both in academia and in life. With such high scores, it’s safe to say that Vestavia Hills is laying down a solid foundation for generations to come!
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
