At a glance
Reported students
524
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
30
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
17.5:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Alabama high enrollment
50th percentile
Compared with 314 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
500
Sipsey Valley High School: 524 reported students.
State peer staffing position
59th percentile
17.5:1 reported; state peer median 17.2:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 472
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28.75
- Student–teacher ratio
- 16.4:1
What the reported data says about Sipsey Valley High School
Sipsey Valley High School is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Buhl. It is one of 38 current school records connected to Tuscaloosa County. NCES reports 524 students for 2024–25.
Among 314 high schools in Alabama with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 525.5 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 50th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 17.5:1, close to the Alabama median of 17.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (69.1%) and Black (18.1%). English learners represent 3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 25.4%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, gifted and talented programming. The school reported 4 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Sipsey Valley High School
- 1How do the reported 17.5:1 student–teacher ratio and 30 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 1 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 3%
- Students with disabilities
- 25.4%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 41.6%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White69.1%
- Hispanic11.6%
- Black18.1%
- Asian0%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.4%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial0.8%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
Students enrolled
4 distinct courses reported
Gifted and talented
Offered
Computer science
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Tuscaloosa County
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Northside High School
High · Grades 09–12
535 reported students
Holt High School
High · Grades 09–12
456 reported students
Tuscaloosa County Juvenile Detention Center
High · Grades 07–12
Enrollment not reported
TCSS Academy
High · Grades 06–12
Enrollment not reported
Brookwood High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,076 reported students
Hillcrest High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,434 reported students
Public schools near Sipsey Valley High School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sipsey Valley Middle School Middle · Tuscaloosa County | 05–08 | 575 | 0.2 mi |
| Buhl Elementary School Elementary · Tuscaloosa County | PK–04 | 206 | 4.5 mi |
| Westwood Elementary School Elementary · Tuscaloosa County | PK–04 | 299 | 4.7 mi |
| Myrtlewood Elementary School Elementary · Tuscaloosa County | PK–04 | 280 | 7.3 mi |
| I Dream Big Charter Schools High · Charter · I Dream Big Charter Schools | 06–12 | — | 8.6 mi |
| Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy High · Tuscaloosa City | 09–12 | — | 9 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Sipsey Valley High School
What grades does Sipsey Valley High School serve?
Sipsey Valley High School reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school in Tuscaloosa County.
How many students attend Sipsey Valley High School?
Sipsey Valley High School reported 524 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 50th percentile among 314 Alabama high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 472 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Sipsey Valley High School?
The calculated ratio is 17.5:1, based on 524 students and 30 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Alabama median for the same school level is 17.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Sipsey Valley High School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Sipsey Valley High School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Tuscaloosa County attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Sipsey Valley High School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
41.6% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Sipsey Valley High School in?
Sipsey Valley High School is part of Tuscaloosa County, based in Tuscaloosa, AL, which operates 38 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Sipsey Valley High School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Sipsey Valley Middle School (0.2 mi), Buhl Elementary School (4.5 mi), Westwood Elementary School (4.7 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.