As the school year kicks off, Shelby County Schools is proud to be the largest school district and employer in Shelby County, boasting 20,613 students and 2,880 employees.
Shelby County Schools is made up of 31 schools from seven school zones, including Calera, Chelsea, Columbiana, Helena, Montevallo, Oak Mountain and Vincent.
Three of the schools are centralized schools that serve the entire county. This includes the Linda Nolen Learning Center, which serves students with special needs; New Direction, the district’s alternative school and home to the Success academic recovery program; and the Career Technical Educational Center, which offers an array of college and career readiness programs.
“Career Technical education, job readiness programs and a strong focus on advanced academics are helping provide multiple pathways to college and careers for all students,” Dr. Lewis Brooks, Superintendent of Education at Shelby County Schools, said.
“Students are exposed to internships and career exploration opportunities in high-demand areas through numerous community partnerships. One great example is our Health Sciences program at Chelsea High School where students are learning in a state-of-the-art simulated surgical learning lab and participating in internships with local health care providers.”
Shelby County Schools believes that encouraging creativity and critical thinking skills is vital for the growth and improvement of its children. That’s why they continue to bring new and improved avenues of learning to each of their schools.
For high schoolers in the district who maintain a C average, Shelby County Schools offers Virtual Shelby, a virtual learning platform.
Additionally, this year, Shelby County Schools is continuing their partnership with the University of Montevallo, which began in 2023, to offer a Health Concepts dual enrollment / dual credit course.
The semester-long course equates to one hour of college credit and meets Alabama’s health requirement needed for graduation. The class also affords students the opportunity to earn a College and Career Ready indicator, which will be required to graduate beginning with seniors in the Class of 2028.
Whether in person or online, Shelby County Schools empowers students to achieve academic excellence and contribute positively to the world.
