Serving 1,624 students in grades 10-12, Vestavia Hills High School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 75% (which is higher than the Alabama state average of 29%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 68% (which is higher than the Alabama state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is lower than the Alabama state average of 49% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
Grades: 10-12
Enrollment: 1,624 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 19%
Graduation Rate
: 96% (Top 5% in AL)
Overall Testing Rank
: Top 10%
Math Proficiency
: 75% (Top 5%)
Reading Proficiency
: 68% (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
: 75% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Vestavia Hills High School ranks within the top 10% of all 1,285 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Vestavia Hills High School is 0.34, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Vestavia Hills High School (VHHS), founded in 1970, is a public
high school in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham.
Part of the Vestavia Hills School System, the high school is known
primarily for the success of its band, math, debate, and baseball
teams.
The creation of an independent school system was a landmark event
in the history of Vestavia Hills and their quality is locally
recognized as the city's greatest asset. The high school, which is
noted for excellence nationally as well as on a statewide level, is
also an asset to a region not recognized for committing adequate
resources to primary education.
The school mascot is the Rebel (a cartoon depiction of a "Southern
gentleman" patterned after the University of Mississippi mascot).
Occasional controversy about the use of the Rebel mascot has not
made much impact in Vestavia Hills, which has an overwhelmingly
white student body. The name "Rebels", the mascot, the Confederate
battle flag(though not the school's official flag) as a rallying
symbol was the subject of a school board debate in November 2000.
After hearing many opinions, mostly in favor of keeping these
symbols, the board took the advice of its legal counsel and made no
new policy. The use of the flag, once common, is now strongly
discouraged and remains a divisive issue among students.
However, the school has renewed the issue recently by giving out
free school flags at a recent pep rally. This school flag was
designed over 10 years ago, but failed to garner the attention of
the student body. The second attempt has proved much more
successful, with students readily accepting and vaunting the flag.
Academic Achievements: Vestavia's math team has dominated
national competition for more than a decade. The team has earned 15
first-place and 2 second-place finishes in their 17 National Mu
Alpha Theta Convention competitions. Most recently, Vestavia's math
team won first place recognition in the national competition in
Fort Collins, Colorado in July 2006. Other successes include four
victories at the regional Furman University Wylie Mathematics
Tournament from 1999-2004.
The debate team, winners of seven national championships, has the
distinction of being the first team in history to win both the
Lincoln-Douglas Debate and the Policy Debate in the National
Forensic League championships. Vestavia is also the only school to
have two national champions in Lincoln-Douglas debate.
Vestavia's "We The People Team" won the Alabama state competition
and placed 4th at the National Competition in Washington, D.C. in
2006. We The People is a mock constitutional debate program, and
the National Competition showcased all fifty of the state champion
teams. The team was led by Amy Maddox, who led her team to a 4th
place finish after competing in the We The People program for just
five years.
Compared to the vast majority of public high schools in Alabama,
Vestavia sends high percentage of graduating seniors to elite
out-of-state schools. 麻豆果冻传媒ly, Vestavia has become a de facto
feeder school for Vanderbilt University, and many graduates are
currently attending Ivy Leagues, such as Harvard, Yale, the
University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, as well as other elites like
Stanford, MIT, and Duke.
Vestavia's newspaper, The Vedette, received the All-Alabama award
for the 2005-2006 school year. The All-Alabama award, sponsored by
the Alabama Scholastic Press Association is the highest award that
can be given to a high school newspaper in Alabama.
Vestavia has a long-standing tradition of a quality music
department. Both the band and choir have won numerous state and
regional awards, and consistently place best-in-class in
competition. Vestavia's jazz program, in particular, has been
notable since its founding by bandleader Ted Galloway.
Athletic Achievements: Vestavia has also produced a legacy
of athletic accomplishment. The baseball team, under late Coach
Sammy Dunn, won nine state titles in the highest division of
competition, including seven straight from 1994-2000 and the 1998
national championship. Dunn's 27-year record at Vestavia was
647-146. The football team won state championships in 1980 and
1998. The wrestling, soccer, golf and tennis teams have also
enjoyed notable successes.
Faculty: Nine of Vestavia Hills High School's teachers have
achieved "National Board Certification" with seven more on track to
be certified.
Outstanding teaching staff include Kay Tipton, chair of the math
department since 1989, who has won Cornell University's Outstanding
High School Educator Award, the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year
Award, and received the White House Commission of Presidential
Scholars Distinguished Teacher Award three times.
Former Debate Coach, Marilee Dukes was inducted to the National
Forensics League Hall of Fame in 2004. She is also in the
Tournament of Champions Coaches Hall of Fame. Dukes coached at
Alabama鈥檚 Vestavia Hills High School for over twenty years and made
the program one of the powerhouses of the 1990s. Her students have
claimed the championships and top speaker awards at every major
national tournament during her tenure, and she has coached debaters
to finals at the Tournament of Champions an unprecedented seven
times. She is one of ten coaches honored by having a debate round
in the Barkley Forum for High Schools at Emory University named
after her.
Former Band Director Ted Galloway not only conducted performing
groups of consistently high quality, but also brought many
legendary jazz musicians, such as Urbie Green to the school for
performances.
Alumni: Notable alumni include: Colter Bean (1995), Major
League Baseball pitcher (New York Yankees).
Tanner Colby (1993), writer, producer "National Lampoon Radio Hour"
& Belushi: A Biography.
Josh Hancock (1996), Major League Baseball pitcher (St. Louis
Cardinals).
Chris Hammond (1984), Major League Baseball pitcher (Cincinnati
Reds).
Jo S. Kittinger, children's book author.
Michael Papajohn (1983), actor.
Susan Patterson, opera soprano.
Jeanne Wilson, three-time world champion wheelchair weightlifter.
Vestavia Hills High School is ranked #72 out of 1,285 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Vestavia Hills High School often compared to?
Vestavia Hills High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Mountain Brook High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
75% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 29% AL state average), while 68% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Vestavia Hills High School?
The graduation rate of Vestavia Hills High School is 96%, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 88%.
How many students attend Vestavia Hills High School?
1,624 students attend Vestavia Hills High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
81% of Vestavia Hills High School students are White, 7% of students are Asian, 5% of students are Black, 4% of students are Hispanic, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Vestavia Hills High School?
Vestavia Hills High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Vestavia Hills High School offer ?
Vestavia Hills High School offers enrollment in grades 10-12
What school district is Vestavia Hills High School part of?
Today's students are in no more trouble than students of previous years. Vestavia parents have always been active in the schools. They especially get involved when they hear of students moving in the wrong direction. Taking action when needed brings about support that the schools, students, teachers, and parents want and need. There will always be students who misbehave and head down the wrong path. The schools do their best to help students learn to make the best choices.
- Posted by Administrator - Dr. Laurendine
27/23/2011
Academics are down from what they were years back. Disapointed with how much trouble these students are getting into compared to surrounding schools.
- Posted by Parent - Jumpi
Review Vestavia Hills High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
We explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
Explore the revolutionary approach of Personalized Learning in K-12 education. This article discusses the benefits, challenges, and potential of tailoring education to individual student needs, incorporating technology and adaptive learning methods to prepare students for the 21st century.
Quick Stats (2025)
Grades: 10-12
Enrollment: 1,624 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 19%
Graduation Rate
: 96% (Top 5%)
Overall Testing Rank
: Top 10%
Math Proficiency
: 75% (Top 5%)
Reading Proficiency
: 68% (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
: 75% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Related School Videos
28:18
4:32
2:19
2:11
Related School News
VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. (WBRC) - Vestavia Hills High School was placed on a secure perimeter ...
New principals will take over at Vestavia Hills Elementary ...
Vestavia Hills High School Principal Tyler Burgess explains the pros and cons of a proposed restructuring plan. Tyler Burgess ...
