Pinson Valley High School
| Pinson Valley High School | |
| |
| Established | 1971 |
|---|---|
| School type | Public |
| District | Jefferson County Schools |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Principal | Michael Turner |
| Enrollment | 1028 (2009) |
| Colors | Garnet and Vegas gold |
| Mascot | Indians |
| Location | 6895 Alabama Highway 75 Pinson |
| Website | pinsonvalleyhigh.jefcoed.com |
Pinson Valley High School is a four-year public high school in the Birmingham suburb of Pinson located at 6895 Alabama State Highway 75. It opened in fall of 1971, graduating its first senior class in 1972. It is currently the 5th largest high school in the Jefferson County School System. Enrollment in grades 9-12 for the 2009-2010 school year is approximately 1,028 students with 65 staff members. The principal is Michael Turner.
In 2008, a new fine arts and science center was added to the school, with a 670-seat auditorium and spaces for the school's band and choir.
Pinson Valley High School was included in Alabama's list of "failing schools" in 2016. The listing was based on 10th grade performance on the "ACT Aspire" standardized test. In 2016 Pinson Valley 10th graders scored 4% on math proficiency and 16% on reading proficiency. When the 2017 list was released, Pinson Valley was no longer counted as a failing school.
Athletics
Pinson Valley High School's athletic teams are called the "Indians", and its colors are garnet and Vegas gold. The football team competes at Willie Adams Stadium, and the basketball and volleyball teams call the Mike Dutton Gymnasium home.
The Indians have won several AHSAA championships in a variety of sports competing at the 6A level, including football in 2017 and wrestling in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, and 1990.
Matt Glover was hired as head football coach and athletic director in 2009. Patrick Nix succeeded him in 2017.
Arts
The Pinson Valley Band is referred to as the "Marching Chiefs" and they hold an annual marching competition called the Pride of the Valley. The current band directors are Matt Martindale and Keith Brandenburg. The PVHS Choir program is led by Sarah Timothy, and the theater program is headed by Reid Watson.
Principals
- Lurlean Brown, 2017
- Michael Turner, 2017-
Notable alumni
- Coty Clarke, professional basketball player
- Zach Cunningham, NFL football player
- Carlos Gray, NFL football player
- Melissa Toole Gunter, former Miss Alabama
- Desmond Jennings, Major League baseball player
- Terry Jones, former Major League baseball player
- Hoyt Sanders, former Mayor of Pinson
- Shay Shelnutt, Alabama State Senate
- Phil Sims, former director of the Clay-Pinson Chamber of Commerce
References
- Crain, Trisha Powell (January 11, 2017) "Alabama to label five high schools in Jefferson County as 'failing." The Birmingham News
External links
- Pinson Valley High School website
- Pinson Valley High School football history at ahsfhs.org