Welcome

Welcome to Wills Valley Elementary School!

Wills Valley Elementary School serves students in Kindergarten through Second Grade and is located in Fort Payne, Alabama, within DeKalb County. The school currently enrolls approximately 736 students. Our student population is diverse, with approximately 50% identifying as White, 43% as Hispanic, 3% as Black, and 1% as Other.

Nestled in a picturesque valley along Big Wills Creek, Wills Valley Elementary is situated on the Cumberland Plateau, just west of Lookout Mountain and with Sand Mountain to the far west. The city of Fort Payne has a population of roughly 14,877. Demographically, the community is approximately 69% White, 21% Hispanic, 3% Black, and less than 1% identifying as Other. As of 2023, the median household income in Fort Payne was $48,623, with about 23% of residents living below the poverty line.

One of the area’s most attractive qualities is its natural beauty. Surrounded by mountains, creeks, and parks, the region offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation, including cycling, running, canoeing, and skiing. Popular nearby attractions include Little River Canyon National Preserve, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Lookout Mountain Wild Animal Park, and DeSoto State Park. The area also benefits from its proximity to the interstate, making it easy to access several larger cities—Chattanooga, Tennessee; Rome, Georgia; Huntsville, Alabama; and Birmingham, Alabama—all within a 90-minute drive.

Our school is staffed by a dedicated team of 67 certified professionals who bring a wide range of expertise and passion to our learning community. This team includes 40 general education classroom teachers, 3 physical education teachers, 3 English Learner (EL) teachers, 1 librarian, 1 art teacher, 1 enrichment teacher, 3 reading interventionists, 1 reading coach, 2 math coaches, 3 math interventionists, and 5 special education teachers. Additional certified staff include 1 speech pathologist, 1 teacher for the hearing-impaired, 2 guidance counselors, 1 assistant principal, and 1 principal.

We are also supported by 27 non-certified staff members who play vital roles in daily school operations. These include 12 instructional aides, 1 School Resource Officer, 3 custodians, 1 school nurse, 7 lunchroom staff, 1 bookkeeper, 1 secretary/translator, and 1 office aide.

One of the most significant challenges we face is meeting the needs of our English Learner (EL) students. Supporting their academic achievement and language development continues to be a top priority as we work to serve our growing and diverse school community.