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Best Public Schools in Birmingham, AL


At a glance
69
Schools
31,830
Students
7
Districts
6
5-star schools
Top rankedMt Laurel Elementary School7th of 680 Alabama elementary schools
Biggest riser
Christian School up 122 spots statewide this year
Smallest classes
WE Putnam Middle SchoolMagnet 10.8 students per teacher
SchoolDigger ratings
5★
1★
0★
15 schools without a SchoolDigger rating (too few tested students)
Summary:

The city of Birmingham, Alabama is home to 60 schools spanning 38 elementary, 10 middle, 10 high, and 2 alternative schools across three school districts - Shelby County, Birmingham City, and Jefferson County.

Some standout schools include Oak Mountain High School, ranked among the top 11 high schools in the state with high test scores, a 90% graduation rate, and low chronic absenteeism. Mt Laurel Elementary School is ranked 7th out of 680 elementary schools statewide with exceptional proficiency rates over 80% in math and 90% in English. The EPIC Alternative Elementary School also stands out as a high-performing alternative school with 85-100% proficiency across subjects.

However, the data reveals stark disparities in academic performance, with many Birmingham City schools struggling with single-digit proficiency rates, while the top schools excel. This divide appears closely linked to socioeconomic factors, as schools with high percentages of students receiving free/reduced lunch tend to have the lowest outcomes. Addressing these systemic challenges will likely require targeted interventions and a focus on replicating the success factors of the highest-performing schools across the district.

Ranking:
Map legend
E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private




Cities Near Birmingham

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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