2023 Best Schools in Shelby County

• Indian Springs, AL•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.64 out of 5  75 reviews

Sophomore: We have been thrilled with our daughter’s experience as a boarding student. She is so happy with the tight-knit boarding community. There is sufficient structure to ensure the students are safe and focus on their studies, but plenty of freedom within that structure. The teachers are dedicated and invested in the success of their students. They truly care about these kids! The academics are quite challenging, and the teachers offer extra help and support to help the kids succeed. The campus is beautiful and serene. My daughter runs the trails around the lake in the mornings before class. She has the opportunity to play several different sports, as well as performing arts. She is excited to return for her Junior year!... Read 75 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 330

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Hoover City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  277 reviews

Senior: I am currently a Senior at Spain Park High School. I enrolled in the school the second semester of my Sophomore year. It was very challenging for me because I was coming from a very small private, Christian School where I had been since 5th grade. I hated leaving my friends, basketball and all things familiar. Spain Park has almost 2000 students whereas my previous school had barely 200. I was So nervous and unsure of myself. Unfortunately, I was there for less than 3 weeks before the pandemic hit and the world shut down. Virtual learning was OK but I didn't have a chance to meet many people. It wasn't until my Junior year that I felt some sense of normality despite masks and social distancing once school started. Fortunately, I got accepted into the District's Cybersecurity program, met new people and formed relationships with my teachers and peers . Overall, Spain Park is a great school with many opportunities for any type of student. I am glad that I changed schools!... Read 277 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,634

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Hoover City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  8 reviews

Middle School Student: Robert F. Bumpus Middle School is an AMAZING school for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders! It has an amazing staff teaching students to be their best both academically and in life!... Read 8 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,122

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Hoover City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  10 reviews

Middle School Student: Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms Good bathrooms... Read 10 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,142

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Hoover City Schools, AL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Works Here: The Greystone community is extremely supportive of the school. Teachers at Greystone are committed to helping their students achieve success and carry out the school's motto to Learn, Lead, Leave a Legacy.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 463

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Hoover City Schools, AL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: The teachers are very attentive to the needs of the students. They seem to genuine care for the progression of education, and moreover the general welfare of the students. It is a great school full of engaging teachers inspiring students!... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 667

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Birmingham, AL•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  36 reviews

Parent: Westminster has surpassed all expectations my husband and I had for our sons kindergarten education. The decision to educate our son at home or to send him to a formal school was no longer a question after we toured the school and saw the genuine love and respect the staff and students mutually shared with each other. The inclusion of instructional support teachers for every grade is also a huge supplement to the school that we were unaware of prior to the school tour. It gave my husband and I peace to know someone was working one on one with our child each day outside of the normal classroom to build up his strengths and find weaknesses at an early age. My son has grown leaps and bounds this year spiritually, academically and socially, he can find truths of scripture in every activity he performs, and in all the work he completes! Westminster truly gifts every child an extraordinary education, an investment that will last a lifetime!... Read 36 reviews

• grade A

• Students 563

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• K-2

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Teachers have high standards for all learners. This school implements the 7 Habits of Happy Kids and focuses on the whole child.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 716

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  303 reviews

Senior: As a student from Oak Mountain, I will say that this school is lovely. Great staff and teachers, wonderful clubs and students who are engaged, and who can forget the lovely pep rallies that they have, and including the fun weeks of dress up? It's amazing. But I feel that the food could be a little better and maybe seasoned a lot more. And the diversity? Well.... among the teachers is not good at all. And another the students? Not so well either, but overall a great experience!... Read 303 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,531

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Alabaster City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  972 reviews

Senior: My experience at Thompson has been great! I’ve met teachers that truly care about my well-being and academic success. There are many and diverse academic opportunities held hear at Thompson like AP classes, many electives and art programs or academies. We have very diverse facilities like our sports facilities, our performing arts center, and the health science room. Although our school holds very diverse opportunities, a lot of our teachers are coaches and they don’t teach as well and teachers that aren’t coaches. Our student body is very diverse, but it is not represented by our student government programs or other clubs within the school.... Read 972 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,098

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Pelham City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  283 reviews

Junior: Although I have not graduated yet, I have had a pleasant experience at Pelham High School. All the staff and administration are so involved and do their best to make sure the students are not only prepared for the future in whatever we may choose, but ensure that we have a positive experience. Through the pandemic the teachers have sacrificed so much to make sure we are still learning and working towards our goals. The school provides countless classes and opportunities to prepare/prep students for college, such as AP classes, ACT study sessions, and dull enrollment. They create a fun and inclusive environment for all students with clubs, sports, academics, etc. I’m proud to be a Pelham Panther! Go ham!... Read 283 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,106

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  152 reviews

Senior: Helena High School is a beautiful school. The school is architecturally beautiful but also on the inside. From the students and the families they represent to the faculty and staff and their dedication to the students and their careers. Helena High sits in a small community of very involved families. It had been a great place to go through school K-12th. During a time when school safety and academic success has so much weight placed on it, Helena High has risen to the challenge. I am thankful that I have been blessed to be a part of such an incredible atmosphere.... Read 152 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,373

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Alabaster City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-3

• •
  Rating 4.94 out of 5  35 reviews

Works Here: For me, Alabaster City Schools represents a thriving community of teachers, parents, administrators, students, and families who are dedicated to excellence, growth, and leadership. ACS employees go above and beyond to meet the needs of students, welcome families as partners in their child's educational journey, support educators, and involve the entire Alabaster community in the wonderful things taking place in our schools. Here at ACS, students are truly known and loved as they are encouraged to become champions of their future. I am thankful for ACS!... Read 35 reviews

• grade A

• Students 874

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Niche User: Is such a good elementary school, the teaching staff is great!!, I learned a lot through all my years there.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 166

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• PK, K-3

• grade A minus

• Students 657

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Alabaster City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  315 reviews

Works Here: Thompson Middle provides its students with educational opportunities that are unique to each student's interest. The overall atmosphere of the school is positive and encouraging to students. The teachers are all approachable, accommodating, and caring towards all their students and parents. Overall, Thompson Middle School is an incredible school to send your children to!... Read 315 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,457

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 3.4 out of 5  10 reviews

Niche User: The students are getting everything that the core requires. The teachers also teach higher levels than the core. The teachers push the students. I only wish these students could have more time with the gifted teachers. This staff has an amazing leader Principal Deem. Principal Deem puts the children 1st she understands the schools needs and the students needs. Principal Deem is loving, caring and very organized. She is an outstanding Principal!... Read 10 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 498

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Pelham City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  87 reviews

Middle School Student: This school is a great school for academics! It has a big variety of sports including, football, soccer, dance, track, etc. It is a very organized school and it is very important to the administration when it comes to safety. The teachers are very understanding and always tell their students to ask for help if needed. This school always welcomes new people and wants to make them feel included.... Read 87 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 767

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Alabaster, AL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  98 reviews

Senior: Evangel was a great school to be in. The quality of its Christ-centered education is top notch, and I am forever grateful to the faculty and administration for putting together the amazing curriculum. I would not be able to write the way I write now if not for what I learned during my time at Evangel Classical Christian School. The only issue I really have is the general lack of freedom the school affords its students. I was president of the SGA for two years in a row, and I believe that the student government should be more involved in how the school is actually run. If the school would simply lend an ear to the students, I believe that it would not only lead to better student moral but also improve the relationships between the students and the faculty. Overall, I think that Evangel is an incredible school, but it could be ten times better than it is now if it simply allowed the students to be more involved in the way the school operates.... Read 98 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 338

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• 4-5

• grade A minus

• Students 657

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: It was a great and fun experience while I was there. I highly recommend the middle school. I was there as a student and I learned stuff I will need in life.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 1,078

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Alabaster City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-3

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  26 reviews

Parent: Our daughter has spent the past two years at Meadow View. Each year my husband and I have been so impressed with the communication between the school and our home. Seeing our daughter develop the math and reading skills necessary to be successful in her current and future classes is amazing. She loves specials (Art, Music, STEAM Lab, etc.). She comes home excited to share what she is learning in her classroom each day and that is a testament to the quality educators employed by MVES and ACS. Meadow View offers a variety of extracurriculuar activites and After School Care programs which demonstrates just how much the community believes in MVES! We are extremely satisfied and look forward to the years ahead here!... Read 26 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 867

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Pelham City Schools, AL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  16 reviews

Works Here: Pelham Oaks is a family of educators, administrators and staff who want the best for every student and one another! Strong academics are provided in a safe and caring environment. The teachers care for each and every student in their classes and never stop striving to help each student become the best student and person that they can be. The PTO at POES is awesome. They are welcoming to all parents and encourage everyone to participate in any way they can. They also support in teachers in big and small ways every day. Overall, Pelham Oaks is a family committed to one another and all of the students.... Read 16 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 739

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Senior: The teachers are always helpful and ready to help the students with anything. they may need. The school has various clubs and activities varying from Green Club to a Math Club, there is no excuse for the students not to be involved in their school!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,039

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 867

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1