- Helena Middle — 3.1 mi · Grades 6–8 · 957 students
- Helena High School — 3.2 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,383 students
- Helena Intermediate School — 4.1 mi · Grades 3–5 · 955 students
- Helena Elementary School — 4.9 mi · Grades K–2 · 778 students
- Linda Nolen Learning Center — 8.7 mi · Grades PK–12 · 78 students
- STAR Program Elementary — 8.7 mi · Grades PK–5
- STAR Program Middle — 8.7 mi · Grades 6–8
- Calera Middle — 10.4 mi · Grades 6–8 · 767 students
| Metric | Shelby County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 21,179 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 31 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,425/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 24% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 109 rated districts in AL → 89th percentile → 9/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Shelby County School District
Shelby County School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 35080 in Helena, Alabama. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 35080. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Shelby County School District 9 out of 10 — top-tier among Alabama public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Alabama is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Shelby County School District ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Alabama on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 35080 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 35080
Children in zip code 35080 are assigned to Shelby County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 35080, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Shelby County School District at (205)682-7000 or visit www.shelbyed.k12.al.us. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Alabama districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Helena
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Shelby County School District serves zip code 35080, homes in and around zip code 35080 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Alabama, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Shelby County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 35080.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Shelby County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 35080 data.