Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Birmingham’s public schools score below 89% of Alabama districts on tests and graduation
In Birmingham, 8% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Alabama average (27%). The grade covers the public school district serving Birmingham, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Alabama, not nationally.
From Alabama state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Birmingham’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 25% of tested students were proficient in reading and 8% in math, against 47% and 27% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,894 per student, against $13,926 across Alabama (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
27 elementary schools, then 15 middle and seven high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Legacy Prep, Legacy Prep Intermediate, i3 Academy Phase 1, i3 Academy Phase 2, Freedom Prep Academy, Cornerstone High School (private), Cornerstone Schools of Alabama (private), John Carroll Catholic High School (private), The Altamont School (private), St. Rose of Lima School (private), St. Francis Xavier School (private), Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School (private), Spring Valley School (private), Banks Academy (private), Grassroots Christian Academy (private), Calvary Resurrection Christian Academy (private), Alabama Waldorf School (private), Ephesus Academy (private), Glen Iris Baptist School (private), Miracle Academy Private Christian School (private), Red Mountain Community School (private), Red MTN Community School (private), New Hope Christian Elementary School (private), Allan Cott School (private), Ne Miles Jewish Day School (private), Holy Family Catholic Academy (private), Build Up Community School (private), Trinity Outreach Ministries (private), Integrity Christian Academy (private), Arlington School (private) and Winewood Christian School (private) are in town. BCS Virtual Academy of Learning, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Birmingham’s grade
D: better than 11% of Alabama school districts, #177 of 187 Alabama towns. Both inputs trail the Alabama average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Birmingham, with each school’s own grade.
Birmingham’s public schools are run by Birmingham City School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Birmingham vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Alabama towns that share Birmingham’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | D | Birmingham City |
| Irondale | C | Jefferson County |
| Center Point | C | Jefferson County |
| Homewood | A+ | Homewood City |
| Mountain Brook | A+ | Mountain Brook City |
| Trussville | A+ | Trussville City |
| Vestavia Hills | A+ | Vestavia Hills City |
| Hoover | A+ | Hoover City |
| Leeds | C+ | Leeds City |
| Midfield | D | Midfield City |
| Pleasant Grove | C | Jefferson County |
| Fultondale | C | Jefferson County |
| Tarrant | D− | Tarrant City |
| Hueytown | C | Jefferson County |
| Fairfield | C− | Fairfield City |
| Bessemer | D− | Bessemer City |
| Lipscomb | C | Jefferson County |
| Pinson | C | Jefferson County |
| Adamsville | C | Jefferson County |
| Maytown | — | Jefferson County |
| West Jefferson | — | Jefferson County |
| Sylvan Springs | C | Jefferson County |
| Brighton | C | Jefferson County |
| Brookside | C | Jefferson County |
Every school in Birmingham
74 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Alabama’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 7 public programs with fewer than 25 students (i3 Academy Phase 3, Engle Day Treatment, City Elementary, Dupuy Alternative School, Adolescent Day Treatment, Homebound Elementary School and Homebound High School). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Birmingham’s schools
Are Birmingham’s schools good?
On Alabama’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Birmingham children attend score below 89% of Alabama’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #177 of 187 Alabama towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 10%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Birmingham in?
Birmingham City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 20,954 students in 43 schools (2024–25).
Where do Birmingham kids go to high school?
One of 7 high schools, depending on your address: Huffman High SchoolMagnet, Parker High School, Ramsay High School, Woodlawn High SchoolMagnet, JacksonOlin High School, Wenonah High School and George Washington Carver High School.
What is Birmingham’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Birmingham City School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Alabama.
How much does Birmingham spend per student?
$17,894 in Birmingham City School District (FY2024), against $13,926 across Alabama. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Birmingham?
Yes: Cornerstone High School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 694 students), Cornerstone Schools of Alabama (religious, grades PK–12, 694 students), John Carroll Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 540 students), The Altamont School (nonsectarian, grades 5–12, 379 students), St. Rose of Lima School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 215 students), St. Francis Xavier School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 180 students), Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 156 students), Spring Valley School (special education, grades 1–12, 131 students), Banks Academy (religious, grades 6–12, 125 students), Grassroots Christian Academy (religious, grades 6–12, 123 students), Calvary Resurrection Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–5, 119 students), Alabama Waldorf School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 117 students), Ephesus Academy (religious, grades PK–11, 104 students), Glen Iris Baptist School (religious, grades PK–12, 99 students), Miracle Academy Private Christian School (religious, grades K–10, 81 students), Red Mountain Community School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 73 students), Red MTN Community School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 73 students), New Hope Christian Elementary School (religious, grades PK–8, 64 students), Allan Cott School (special education, grades 1–12, 59 students), Ne Miles Jewish Day School (religious, grades K–7, 54 students), Holy Family Catholic Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 51 students), Build Up Community School (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 50 students), Trinity Outreach Ministries (religious, grades PK–K, 37 students), Integrity Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–4, 19 students), Arlington School (special education, grades 7–11, 5 students) and Winewood Christian School (religious, grades 8, 2 students). Birmingham also has 5 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Birmingham families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Birmingham → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Alabama. Stars are from neighbors.