Virgil Grissom High School
Huntsville, AL 35802
Phone: (256) 428-8000
Fax: (256) 428-8001
District: Huntsville City School District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades 9,10,11,12 • 1728 students
Virgil Grissom High School, a public school located in Huntsville, AL, serves grades 9-12 in the Huntsville City School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 6 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Virgil Grissom High School is a public school located in Huntsville, AL. 1728 students attend Virgil Grissom High School.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 8/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program data from Alabama Department of Education. |
| College Readiness | 8/10 | The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using 2019 ACT percent college ready data from Alabama Department of Education, using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from Alabama Department of Education, and using 2025 demographic data from Alabama Department of Education. |
| Student Growth | 1/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Alabama Department of Education. |
Worrisome patterns of chronic student absenteeism have been identified.
Posted: February 18, 2024
I am a current Junior at Grissom High School and I can definitely tell you without bias that it is the best high school in the area. In spite of multiple reviews, so long as you try to learn teachers will do everything in their power to put you on the right path. As a student whos taken all sorts of classes (honors, APs, and one regular) I can ensure that the education provided at any level is extraordinary. There are clubs and extracurriculars for everyone and students are bound to be able to find a sense of belonging somewhere. Overall, Grissom is a great school. It has its flaws, but it honestly just makes it more human- nothing can be perfect. If you or your child are going here- theyre in good hands!
Posted: February 18, 2024
Posted: February 18, 2024
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Posted: August 30, 2022
Only thing good going for them is a new building.
Posted: August 30, 2022
Posted: August 30, 2022
Posted: August 30, 2022
Posted: August 30, 2022
Posted: August 30, 2022
Posted: August 30, 2022
Posted: June 29, 2021
Both my kids graduated from Grissom , and went on to college . The teachers did everything they could to prepare them for college . So happy we made the choice of Grissom high school . Parents should ask about the programs they have that no other high schools have in Huntsville and Madison , Also how many student had perfect scat scores .
Posted: June 29, 2021
Posted: June 29, 2021
Posted: June 29, 2021
Posted: June 29, 2021
Posted: June 29, 2021
Posted: June 29, 2021
Posted: June 29, 2021
Posted: April 15, 2021
A very diverse campus that affords all students the opportunity for growth, both personally and academically.
Posted: April 15, 2021
Posted: April 15, 2021
Posted: April 15, 2021
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Posted: April 15, 2021
Posted: April 11, 2021
Great school that prepares students for academic success at the next level. Truly and amazing academic institution!
Posted: April 11, 2021
Posted: April 11, 2021
Posted: April 11, 2021
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Posted: April 11, 2021
Posted: April 11, 2021
Posted: September 9, 2020
I couldn't imagine every sending my children to any other school. I feel blessed they are able to attend here. Oh, and the new building is beautiful! so much better than the old school where we went.
Posted: September 9, 2020
Teachers place assignments in online learning management systems so that students and parents know when due dates are.
Posted: September 9, 2020
Some of the best teachers in the country are at this school. Whether it is an AP teacher, a fine arts teacher, a career tech teacher, a coach or math, science, English or social studies teacher, the staff is engaged, and highly regarded by parents, students and colleagues. Some are even AP Master teachers who teach other teachers. Great group of people!
Posted: September 9, 2020
Some students need to be taught character. The teachers here do a good job of that. One of the business teachers sponsors the community outreach group of students...can't remember the name of the club. They engage in the community by cleaning up parks, raising money for breast cancer, etc. One teacher had his students plant a garden, and they give the produce to the senior adults living in apartments close by.
Posted: September 9, 2020
The principal has the right mix of discipline and compassion. Nothing gets by her, but she has a heart for her job and for the students.
Posted: September 9, 2020
There is counseling for students who need it through an outside therapy agency. There is a fantastic special education program that includes OT, PT and speech therapy as well as transition plans for when the teen is no longer in school. There are translators if a student needs it. Lots of supports there for the asking.
Posted: September 9, 2020
This is a No Place for Hate School. This is a school where bullying in person or online is not tolerated and dealt with swiftly.
Posted: March 5, 2020
Excelent both in academics and after school activities.
Posted: March 5, 2020
Posted: March 5, 2020
Posted: March 5, 2020
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Posted: March 5, 2020
Posted: March 5, 2020
Posted: February 23, 2020
Both of my sons graduated from Grissom with full scholarships and we are pleased with the education they received. They had to put in the work to be rewarded, but I don't have a problem with that since that's real life. They both felt that the transition to university was an easy one and that others they met from other schools did not feel the same way.
Posted: February 23, 2020
Posted: February 23, 2020
Posted: February 23, 2020
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Posted: February 23, 2020
Posted: October 26, 2019
Posted: October 26, 2019
Posted: October 26, 2019
Posted: October 26, 2019
We have a change in leadership and most of the behavior issues have been handled.
Posted: October 26, 2019
Posted: October 26, 2019
Posted: October 26, 2019
My daughter loves this school and her coach, and most of her classes she feels are preparing her for college.
Posted: September 25, 2019
Posted: September 25, 2019
Posted: September 25, 2019
Overall, best we could have hoped for.
Posted: September 25, 2019
Both of my daughters attended Grissom and easily made it through their undergraduate and graduate courses in college. Both had a fantastic GHS experience and still have long lasting friend and teacher relationships from their time at GHS.
Posted: September 25, 2019
Balanced assignments and dedication to good hardworking students.
Posted: September 25, 2019
Community work whereby opportunities are provided for students to go into surrounding neighborhoods and give back to those most in need.
Posted: September 25, 2019
Solid support from principal and administration. Lots of parental volunteers.
Posted: February 3, 2018
Grissom is the best school in Huntsville. Along with an excellent staff and teachers, the school prepared me well and was actually more difficult than anything I encountered in my undergraduate and master's degree. Unfortunately, Casey Wardynski and our board members have tried time and time again to destroy Grissom's academic excellence and our teacher's morale. We as a community need to fight to the death to take back our schools from these morons or we can say sayonara to a free and good quality education.
Posted: February 3, 2018
Posted: February 3, 2018
Posted: February 3, 2018
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Posted: February 3, 2018
Posted: December 19, 2017
With this new modified block schedule, homework seems to be more massive, especially with the honors and AP classes.
Posted: December 19, 2017
The honors and AP teachers, as well as the fine arts teachers, really care about the students and try their best to help the students be their best.
Posted: December 19, 2017
In the classes my daughter takes, this statement is true. In other classes, I have no idea.
Posted: December 19, 2017
While some have a very good opinion of the principal, I have not had a very good experience with her. Her mannerism and attitude about the health and safety of the students leaves a lot to be desired.
Posted: December 19, 2017
unknown, but will find out next year when my son attends.
Posted: December 19, 2017
I have heard too many stories where students were bullied, reported the bullying, and nothing being done about it. My daughter's friend has dealt with this concerning one of her friends who was bullied.
Posted: December 19, 2017
With the Fine Arts departments and the honors and AP courses, my experience has been excellent. As for nonhonors, I have heard too many horror stories from parents to make me worry about my son next year taking nonhonors classes when he begins at Grissom. :(
Posted: November 2, 2017
All online work is not effective. Some courses seem to base a tiny fraction of grade on work while others tilt toward nothing but homework that is not discussed in class.
Posted: November 2, 2017
They have trouble keeping good teachers and many have poor classroom management skills.
Posted: November 2, 2017
Posted: November 2, 2017
Political moves leave parents with trite answers to problems. Desegregation order means they are going too soft on discipline and trying to pump "good news" at the expense of real learning.
Posted: November 2, 2017
Posted: November 2, 2017
Posted: November 2, 2017
Overall the new building has been a disaster. Too small, poorly designed areas, and over emphasis on "safety" instead of useable space. Fights are too frequent and the Tiger Time has been unfocused and unclear. Didn't live up to the hype of a strong school. Test scores and AP scores don't equal happy staff and students learning.
Posted: March 2, 2014
If you are looking for a great learning institution in Huntsville, this is the place to go. Above all are the academic standards, which push students to do the best they can and will put you through rigorous work to get your diploma. Many teachers and alumni will tell you that college is much easier once you've been through Grissom and I am inclined to agree. The choice in classes and extracurricular activities is one of the best in the state. The Army JROTC is one of the most acclaimed battalions in Northern AL, and the Theatre department has become famous in town for its large production value and immense talent its students put out. The school offers advanced classes for college credit, more in fact than any other in the city, and the teachers are some of the best you will find. While it is crowded and the building is very old, they are about to lay new ground on a replacement facility across town that should address both of these problems adequately. If you have a student entering or in middle school and need to decide a place for them to go, there really is no better High School in the Huntsville area.
Posted: October 22, 2013
Grissom students and teachers have earned the honor of being the only school in the city of Huntsville ranked in the top 10 schools in Alabama! Go Tigers! Thanks teachers!
Posted: February 6, 2013
I'm a graduate of Grissom High School many years ago. Fortunately, I attended this school and it prepared me to think outside the box and for the rat race that is college. I believe that the many options in the curriculum of Grissom prepared me for a successful future. I'm now approaching 50 & have fond memories of participating in several AP classes, having unique PhD'd teachers who were willing to discuss theory and challenge me, and of all the band opportunities I was fortunate to be involved with. It is a college-preparation dream for students. I was able to clep several college courses which was a time and financial advantage. Most importantly, I've been a self-supporting female in a professional workforce for 28 years. That's from a good foundation. Go Tigers!
Posted: March 23, 2012
Yes, Grissom is above average. But, it was not the school for us. It is excellent for extremely well motivated, organized students. I would not recommend it for students with any learning disabilities or even minor problems with motivation or organization. You don't have to be a bad kid to fail there. Parents won't get much meaningful help when they are trying to bring along a well-behaved, but struggling student. It's a sink or swim environment, riddled with kids who are extremely stressed out and at risk of succumbing to the pressures of the dark elements that lurk in the student body. The teachers, individually of fabulous quality, are just stretched too thin to be of significant help to all of their students.
Posted: August 3, 2011
My daughter was in top private schools before we relocated to Huntsville but I received recommendations from the private school principal to consider the SE Huntsville public schools. We bought a home in the Whitesburg/Grissom district and were extremely satisfied for the most part. She was a solid honor roll student, involved in extracurricular activities and JV sports, and was very well prepared to succeed at a big out-of-state university for undergrad and then at prestigious schools for her master's and PhD. Her comment as a college freshman was that it was very little different from Grissom.. SO many kids come from small schools to a big uni and just cannot handle the feeling of being "lost in a crowd" or the myriad distractions. As others have said, even the "second tier" Grissom student is well equipped academically and maybe even more importantly, socially and emotionally, for college!
Posted: July 25, 2011
I am a graduate of Grissom and have moved back and purchased a home in the District so that my son will attend Grissom when he goes to high school. I had a B average when I was at Grissom but when I went to college I was light years ahead of my peers. College was quite easy after attending Grissom. We had many faculty members who had their doctorates and taught college during the year and summer break. Grissom will give your kids a solid foundation for achievement if they want it. There is so many organizations to get involved with while they are enrolled. There is absolutely no reason that your child should not fit in other than they dont want to go to school. Grissom will give them what they need to succeed in college.
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hampton Cove | Area of Town | Owens Cross Roads | AL | 5.9 mi | |
| 2 | Arch Street Apts | Apartment Complex | Madison | AL | 8.7 mi | |
| 3 | Park Meadow | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Madison | AL | 11.1 mi | |
| 4 | Burgreen Farms | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Madison | AL | 13.7 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | Huntsville | AL | 5.7 mi | |
| 2 | Madison | Madison | AL | 11.7 mi |
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Redstone Arsenal | 5.6 mi. |
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