| Metric | Vestavia Hills City School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 7,069 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 9 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $15,743/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 11% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vestavia Hills City School District (this district) | 10/10 | 99th | 7,069 |
| Homewood City School District | 10/10 | 98th | 4,371 |
| Hoover City School District | 10/10 | 94th | 13,557 |
| Birmingham City School District | 2/10 | 13th | 21,130 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 109 rated districts in AL → → 6/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
- Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus — 0.3 mi · Grades 9–9 · 548 students
- Vestavia Hills High School — 0.5 mi · Grades 10–12 · 1,625 students
- Vestavia Hills Elementary West — 0.9 mi · Grades K–5 · 691 students
- Pizitz Middle School — 1.2 mi · Grades 6–8 · 1,131 students
- Vestavia Hills Elementary East — 2.0 mi · Grades PK–5 · 771 students
- Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge — 2.2 mi · Grades K–5 · 657 students
- Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights — 3.8 mi · Grades PK–5 · 451 students
- Liberty Park Middle School — 7.8 mi · Grades 6–8 · 514 students
About Vestavia Hills City School District
Vestavia Hills City School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 35216 in Birmingham, Alabama. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 35216. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Vestavia Hills City School District spent $15,743 per pupil in FY2024, above the Alabama state average of $13,627 and below the national average of $17,619 (US Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances). Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 9 schools serving grades Pre-K–12th, Vestavia Hills City School District qualifies as a mid-sized district serving students from Pre-K–12th. The district enrolls approximately 7,069 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
With a rating of 10/10 (top-tier), Vestavia Hills City School District ranks among Alabama’s top-tier-rated school systems. 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 (2017–18 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.
Vestavia Hills City 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 35216 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 35216
Children in zip code 35216 are assigned to Vestavia Hills City 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 35216, 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 Vestavia Hills City School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. 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 Birmingham
For families considering a purchase in the Birmingham area, district assignment matters financially. Because Vestavia Hills City School District serves zip code 35216, homes in and around zip code 35216 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 Vestavia Hills City 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 35216.
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 Vestavia Hills City School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 35216 data.