At a glance
Reported students
575
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
28.25
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
20.4:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
05–08
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Alabama middle enrollment
67th percentile
Compared with 262 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
500
Sipsey Valley Middle School: 575 reported students.
State peer staffing position
87th percentile
20.4:1 reported; state peer median 18:1. 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
- 547
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27.35
- Student–teacher ratio
- 20:1
What the reported data says about Sipsey Valley Middle School
Sipsey Valley Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 05–08 in Buhl. It is one of 38 current school records connected to Tuscaloosa County. NCES reports 575 students for 2024–25.
Among 262 middle schools in Alabama with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 449.5 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 67th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 20.4:1, above the Alabama median of 18:1 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 (68.3%) and Black (17.6%). English learners represent 3.7% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 13.2%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Sipsey Valley Middle School
- 1How do the reported 20.4:1 student–teacher ratio and 28.25 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 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
- 3.7%
- Students with disabilities
- 13.2%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 46.4%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White68.3%
- Hispanic12.2%
- Black17.6%
- Asian0.2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.3%
- Multiracial1.4%
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
Gifted and talented
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.
Hillcrest Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
542 reported students
Northport Intermediate School
Middle · Grades 05–06
500 reported students
Duncanville Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
460 reported students
Echols Middle School
Middle · Grades 07–08
738 reported students
Brookwood Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
738 reported students
DavisEmerson Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
397 reported students