Mission Statement:
The mission of Sheffield High School is to enable students to become confident, self-directed, lifelong learners by providing a variety of academic and extra-curricular programs.
 

Curriculum:
Sheffield High School awards an advanced diploma, a standard diploma, an occupational diploma, and a certificate of attendance. The advanced diploma and the standard diploma are awarded to students who acquire the required credits (Carnegie units) in a defined program and also pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam.

The certificate of attendance is awarded to students who acquire the required credits (Carnegie units) for the standard diploma but fail to pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. The occupational diploma prepares students with disabilities for competitive employment.

SHS utilizes the block schedule which enables students to take eight classes each year. Technical classes are available at area vocational schools. Qualifying students may also attend the University of North Alabama and Northwest Shoals Community College in their dual enrollment/dual credit programs.

A variety of electives including Latin, Spanish, French, Art, Band, Choral Music, Mass Communications, Theater Arts, Swimming, and JROTC are available to SHS students.
 

Improving Student Achievement:
In an effort to improve student achievement, additional emphasis is being placed on Reading. We are proud to announce that Ms. Laura Kelly has been employed as the Reading Coach/Curriculum Coordinator for Sheffield High and Sheffield Junior High. Additional Programs include the Aim High Mentoring Program for at-risk students and an ACT/SAT Improvement Program for college bound students.

An outstanding tutoring program is provided for SHS students. Tutoring is available in all subject areas and is provided by faculty members, advanced students, UNA education major volunteers, and retired community volunteers.

We also have an Academic Enhancement Class for our Seniors who have not passed the Alabama Graduation Exam. Our goal is to have 100% of our Senior Class to pass all five parts of the A.S.H.G.E.

WHNT-Channel 19 and Sheffield Junior High have teamed up to present the Weathernet monitoring system. The system contains a weather tower that transmits current information to a computer link within the junior high. The Weathernet is linked to all other Weathernets across the nation. Students are combining meteorology and technology for a state of the art combination.
 

Scholarship Program:
The administration, faculty, and staff of SHS take great pride in the fact that over 50% of our graduating seniors receive scholarships each year. The Class of 2008 received over $1.3 million in scholarship offers!
 

Testing Programs:
We are very proud of the students, teachers, and staff members of Sheffield High School for achieving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status for the current school year. Sheffield High School met 13 of 13 goals set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education in order to achieve this status. Our school met proficiency levels for attendance, reading, mathematics, and graduation rate. We received two grants which assisted us in achieving these goals from the State Department of Education. We provided after school credit recovery classes taught by our highly qualified faculty through the 21st Century Grant. We also employed a graduation coach through funds provided by the Preparing Alabama Students for Success grant (PASS). Our graduation coach worked diligently with our students to keep them on track for graduation.

Last year’s sophomore class led all area high schools in writing proficiency for the Alabama State Department’s 10th Grade Writing Assessment. Since 2004, our writing assessment scores have risen from a 72% proficiency level in 2004 to a 79% proficiency score in the spring of 2008.

Another area of improvement for our students was an increase in ACT scores for the class of 2008. Our average composite score improved by 1.8 points to 20.5, which is slightly higher than the state average of 20.4. Our composite average is below the national average by just over 0.5. Our dedicated faculty is committed to preparing our students for all of the required testing programs as we strive for academic excellence.