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Chelsea, AlabamaPhoto: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0
A−
Schools in Chelsea · Shelby County School District

Chelsea’s public schools outscore 83% of Alabama districts

Math proficiency in Chelsea’s districts is 38%, above the Alabama average (27%). The grade covers the public school district serving Chelsea, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Alabama, not nationally.

#23of 187 Alabama townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Alabama state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
60%
▲ 13 pts vs AL 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
38%
▲ 11 pts vs AL 27%
2021–22
Graduate on time
94%
▲ 4 pts vs AL 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.4K
▼ 4% vs AL $13.9K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.4
AL 17.0 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
3,563 students on the public path
In brief

Chelsea’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 60% and math 38% in spring 2022, against 47% and 27% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,422 per student, against $13,926 across Alabama (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Chelsea Middle School, then Chelsea High School. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Chelsea’s grade

A Test scoresB+ Graduation

A−: better than 83% of Alabama school districts, #23 of 187 Alabama towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Alabama average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Alabama school districts we grade (146)Better than 83%
Lower resultsHigher results
Alabama towns with similar household incomes (62)Better than 79%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 11,088 test results and a graduating class of 1,576 could put Chelsea anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Chelsea’s students in the tested grades sat them (11,117 in math, 11,059 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Chelsea, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA
6–8Chelsea Middle SchoolShelby County School DistrictA−
9–12Chelsea High SchoolShelby County School DistrictA−

Chelsea’s public schools are run by Shelby County School District, which also serves Calera, Columbiana, Harpersville and Helena and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Shelby County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 29 schools · 20,638 students · 16.4 per teacher (AL 17.0)
$13,422AL $13,926 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading60%
State average 47.3% · 11059 students tested
Math38%
State average 27.2% · 11117 students tested

Chelsea vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Alabama towns that share Chelsea’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ChelseaA−Shelby County
PelhamB+Pelham City
WestoverA−Shelby County
ColumbianaA−Shelby County

2 of the 3 neighbors share Shelby County with Chelsea, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Chelsea

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Alabama’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Chelseaby address
Chelsea Park Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
891 students16:1Rate it →
Forest Oaks Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5
A
606 students17:1Rate it →
Chelsea Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
831 students18:1Rate it →
Chelsea High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
1,235 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Chelsea’s schools

Are Chelsea’s schools good?

By Alabama’s own tests, yes: the public schools Chelsea children attend outscore 83% of Alabama’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #23 of 187 Alabama towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 79%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Chelsea in?

Shelby County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 20,638 students in 29 schools (2024–25).

Where do Chelsea kids go to high school?

Chelsea High School, with 1,235 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Chelsea’s graduation rate?

94% of the class of 2023 in Shelby County School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama.

How much does Chelsea spend per student?

$13,422 in Shelby County School District (FY2024), against $13,926 across Alabama. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Chelsea families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chelsea → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Alabama. Stars are from neighbors.