Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Jefferson County

Alabama · Public School District
57
Schools
35,951
Students
$13,148
Per-Pupil Spend
-8% nat'l
64.1%
Free Lunch Rate
+12pp vs nat'l
93.4%
Graduation Rate
+6.9pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Jefferson County is a public school district in Alabama serving 35,951 students across 57 schools. It includes 30 elementary, 11 middle, 13 high schools. Its graduation rate of 93.4% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $13,148 is near the national average for a US public school district. 64% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 41/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (57)
Elementary Schools30 schools
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$13,148Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
54%
28%
State
54.2%
Local (property tax)
28.2%
Federal
17.6%

Funding is shared between state (54%) and local sources (28%), with notable federal support (18%).

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
57
Schools
35,951
Students
64%
Free Lunch
$13K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate93.4%
Opportunity Score41/100
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
93.4% graduation rate — 6.9 points above the national average of 86.5%.
Range of school options
With 57 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County has 57 public schools, serving a total of 35,951 students.
What is the graduation rate for Jefferson County?
The graduation rate is 93.4%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Jefferson County spend per student?
Jefferson County spends $13,148 per pupil — 8% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Jefferson County?
64% of students in Jefferson County qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Jefferson County?
No, Jefferson County does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Jefferson County serve?
Jefferson County serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Jefferson County?
The median opportunity score across schools in Jefferson County is 41/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.