Vestavia Hills City, AL - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Vestavia Hills City

With its schools nestled across several Birmingham-area communities, Vestavia Hills City Schools serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in one of Alabama's most academically accomplished public school systems. The district encompasses nine schools: multiple elementary campuses, two middle schools, and a high school with a separate freshman campus that opened in 2022 to relieve overcrowding and give ninth graders a dedicated transition year. The freshman campus is the most significant recent facilities change and represents a deliberate effort to manage enrollment growth while preserving a supportive start to high school.

State testing data from the 2024-25 school year shows a student body performing at high levels. In English language arts, the share of students meeting proficiency standards is very strong across all tested grades, from third through eighth, with every grade level at or above a high threshold. Math proficiency is solid, though it varies somewhat by grade, with some grades posting notably higher results than others. Science proficiency, measured in fourth and eighth grades, is also strong. Overall, the district's combined proficiency across all subjects and grades places it among the highest-performing districts in Jefferson County, well above the county median. Chronic absenteeism is very low, reflecting a student population that is consistently in school.

The enrollment is large, with students fairly evenly distributed across elementary and secondary grades. Demographically, the district is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Asian, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, as well as on students with disabilities and English learners, was not available, so a parent may want to ask the district directly about the range of support services offered. The district does not have a Title I designation, which typically indicates that the overall poverty level among enrolled families is low.

Housing in the area served by the district reflects a high-cost market. Home values cluster well above state and national medians, with the most expensive areas in the district appearing in parts of Birmingham and Mountain Brook. Rents are also elevated. The median household income in the region is above the national average, consistent with a community where housing affordability is a consideration for families moving into the district.

The district's per-pupil spending is in the middle range, slightly above the midpoint among Jefferson County's districts, indicating that its strong academic results are not driven by unusually high expenditure but rather by factors such as family resources, community engagement, and instructional focus.

Overall, this is a district with a clear academic track record: consistently high proficiency rates across subjects, low absenteeism, and a facilities plan that responds to enrollment pressures. It serves a predominantly affluent, well-educated population. A family considering this district should expect a rigorous academic environment and a community where housing costs are substantial. The absence of data on free lunch eligibility, special education rates, and English learner services are gaps worth following up on, particularly for families with specific support needs. The district does not have alternative or special-purpose designations; it is a conventional public school system serving its attendance area.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

6,937

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 4%

Black 5%

White 82%

Asian 6%

Two+ 3%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

66%

95%

Gr 4

73%

93%

Gr 5

62%

95%

Gr 6

74%

93%

Gr 7

88%

92%

Gr 8

70%

89%

Math

Gr 3

46%

77%

Gr 4

39%

73%

Gr 5

38%

71%

Gr 6

56%

82%

Gr 7

39%

63%

Gr 8

41%

72%

Science

Gr 4

50%

81%

Gr 8

59%

85%

Schools in this District

9 schools are officially reported under this district.

Pizitz Middle School

Vestavia Hills Elementary East

Vestavia Hills Elementary West

Vestavia Hills High School

Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park

Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights

Liberty Park Middle School

Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge

Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

74%

Grade 3

69%

Grade 4

67%

Grade 5

79%

Grade 6

61%

Grade 7

69%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

92%

Grade 3

91%

Grade 4

91%

Grade 5

91%

Grade 6

92%

Grade 7

87%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

78%

Grade 4

83%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$509,944

Year-over-year change+3.0%

Range across 7 ZIP codes$275K to $913K

vs. state typical2.15x

vs. national typical1.38x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (7 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
35216	Vestavia Hills	$414K	+3.4%	33.4%
35243	Birmingham	$584K	+3.7%	29.7%
35242	Birmingham	$564K	+1.7%	26.6%
35226	Hoover	$439K	+2.7%	5.6%
35210	Irondale	$275K	+1.5%	2.7%
35223	Mountain Brook	$913K	+6.2%	1.5%
35209	Homewood	$533K	+4.3%	0.6%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,565/mo

Year-over-year change+1.6%

Range across 7 ZIP codes$1,302 to $2,074/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (7 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
35216	Vestavia Hills	$1,302	+1.9%	33.4%
35243	Birmingham	$1,816	+2.7%	29.7%
35242	Birmingham	$1,491	-0.7%	26.6%
35226	Hoover	$1,869	+3.2%	5.6%
35210	Irondale	$1,908	+2.6%	2.7%
35223	Mountain Brook	$2,074	—	1.5%
35209	Homewood	$1,536	+2.9%	0.6%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$2,573/mo

Home price / national median income6.1x

Annual rent / national median income22.4%

Est. mortgage exceeds rent by$1,008/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$236,705 (+1.2% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.