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¶¶Òô³ÉÈË - Established 2003

Fort Payne High School vs. Valley Head High School

Should you attend Fort Payne High School or Valley Head High School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Fort Payne High School
201 45th St Ne
Fort Payne, AL 35967
: 
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Valley Head High School
235 1st Ave
Valley Head, AL 35989
: 
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Top Rankings

Fort Payne High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 1%)

Valley Head High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 10%)
Overview
Fort Payne High School ranked #847 in Alabama in 2023, showing a decline from #490 in 2018 and remaining in the bottom 50% of state schools overall.
Graduation rate was 98% in 2023, ranking in the top 1% statewide and exceeding the Alabama average of 88%.
Math proficiency was 26%, lower than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 25% and science proficiency 23%, both lower than their respective state averages of 47% and 38%.
Enrollment increased from 933 students in 2017 to 1,112 in 2023, with minority enrollment at 53% and 734 students eligible for free lunch, reflecting a rise in socioeconomic need over time.
The school served grades 9–12 with 62 teachers in 2023, maintaining a student–teacher ratio of 18:1, consistent with recent years.
Valley Head High School ranked #722 in Alabama in 2023, improving from #766 in 2022, maintaining a position in the bottom 50% statewide.
Math proficiency was 22%, lower than the state average of 30%, with reading proficiency at 37%, also lower than the state average of 47%; science proficiency ranged between 20–24%, below the state average of 38%.
Enrollment remained stable around 486 students in recent years with minority enrollment at 34%, and 68% of students were eligible for free or reduced–price lunch, indicating a significant socioeconomic need.
The school served grades PK–12 with 492 students and a student–teacher ratio of 14:1, placing it in the top 10% statewide for lowest student–teacher ratio.
Graduation rates ranged between 80–89% from 2013 to 2023, consistently below the Alabama state average of approximately 88%.
Grades Offered
9-12
PK-12
Total Students
1,112 students
492 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Fort Payne High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Valley Head High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
50% | 50%
56% | 44%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Fort Payne High School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Valley Head High School.
Total Classroom Teachers
62 teachers
35 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Fort Payne High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Valley Head High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
14:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Fort Payne High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Fort Payne City School District and the state of Alabama, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Valley Head High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Dekalb County School District and the state of Alabama, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#847 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
#722 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Fort Payne High School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Valley Head High School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
26%
(Top 50% in AL)
22%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Fort Payne High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Fort Payne City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Valley Head High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Dekalb County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
25%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
37%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Fort Payne High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Fort Payne City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Valley Head High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Dekalb County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
23%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
20-24%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Fort Payne High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Fort Payne City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Valley Head High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Dekalb County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
98%
(Top 1% in AL)
80-89%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Fort Payne High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Fort Payne City School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Valley Head High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Dekalb County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Fort Payne High School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Valley Head High School by grade.
Pre-K Students
-
20
Kindergarten Students
-
41
Grade 1 Students
-
30
Grade 2 Students
-
44
Grade 3 Students
-
37
Grade 4 Students
-
31
Grade 5 Students
-
36
Grade 6 Students
-
42
Grade 7 Students
-
30
Grade 8 Students
-
38
Grade 9 Students
287
37
Grade 10 Students
263
38
Grade 11 Students
293
36
Grade 12 Students
269
32

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
1%
8%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Fort Payne High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Fort Payne City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Valley Head High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Dekalb County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Asian
1%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Fort Payne High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Fort Payne City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Valley Head High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Dekalb County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2005-06 school year.
% Hispanic
46%
24%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Fort Payne High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Fort Payne City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Valley Head High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Dekalb County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
3%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Fort Payne High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Fort Payne City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Valley Head High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Dekalb County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2019-20 school year.
% White
47%
66%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Fort Payne High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Fort Payne City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Valley Head High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Dekalb County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Fort Payne High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Fort Payne City School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Valley Head High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Dekalb County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.57
0.51
This chart showcases the diversity score of Fort Payne High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Fort Payne City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Valley Head High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Dekalb County School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
66%
62%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Fort Payne High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Fort Payne City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Valley Head High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Dekalb County School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Fort Payne High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Fort Payne City School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Valley Head High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Dekalb County School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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