Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0Irondale’s public schools score below 69% of Alabama districts on tests and graduation
In Irondale, 15% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Alabama average (27%). The grade covers the public school district serving Irondale, 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.
From Alabama state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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.
Irondale’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 207 Alabama towns with household incomes within a quarter of Irondale’s, its schools beat 14%, lower than their 31% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 15% in math, against 47% and 27% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,625 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 Irondale Middle School, then Shades Valley High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Jefferson Christian Academy (private) is in town. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Irondale’s grade
C: better than 31% of Alabama school districts, #133 of 187 Alabama towns. Graduation is above the Alabama average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Irondale, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Irondale · depends on your address
Irondale Community School
Grades PK–5 · 435 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grantswood Community School
Grades PK–5 · 394 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Birmingham
Kindergarten in Irondale · depends on your address
Irondale Community School
Grades PK–5 · 435 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grantswood Community School
Grades PK–5 · 394 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Birmingham
1st grade in Irondale · depends on your address
Irondale Community School
Grades PK–5 · 435 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grantswood Community School
Grades PK–5 · 394 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Birmingham
2nd grade in Irondale · depends on your address
Irondale Community School
Grades PK–5 · 435 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grantswood Community School
Grades PK–5 · 394 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Birmingham
3rd grade in Irondale · depends on your address
Irondale Community School
Grades PK–5 · 435 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grantswood Community School
Grades PK–5 · 394 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Birmingham
4th grade in Irondale · depends on your address
Irondale Community School
Grades PK–5 · 435 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grantswood Community School
Grades PK–5 · 394 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Birmingham
5th grade in Irondale · depends on your address
Irondale Community School
Grades PK–5 · 435 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grantswood Community School
Grades PK–5 · 394 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Birmingham
6th grade in Irondale
Irondale Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 430 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Irondale
Irondale Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 430 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Irondale
Irondale Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 430 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Irondale
Shades Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,094 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Irondale
Shades Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,094 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Irondale
Shades Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,094 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Irondale
Shades Valley High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,094 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Irondale’s public schools are run by Jefferson County School District. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Irondale vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Alabama towns that share Irondale’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Irondale | C | Jefferson County |
| Birmingham | D | Birmingham City |
| Trussville | A+ | Trussville City |
| Leeds | C+ | Leeds City |
| Vestavia Hills | A+ | Vestavia Hills City |
| Mountain Brook | A+ | Mountain Brook City |
Every school in Irondale
5 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).
Questions about Irondale’s schools
Are Irondale’s schools good?
On Alabama’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Irondale children attend score below 69% of Alabama’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #133 of 187 Alabama towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 14%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Irondale in?
Jefferson County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 35,444 students in 55 schools (2024–25).
Where do Irondale kids go to high school?
Shades Valley High School, with 1,094 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Irondale’s graduation rate?
91% of the class of 2023 in Jefferson County School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama.
How much does Irondale spend per student?
$12,625 in Jefferson County School District (FY2024), against $13,926 across Alabama. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Irondale?
Yes: Jefferson Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 158 students).
Parents talk
What Irondale families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Irondale → 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.