Elementary Schools in Birmingham City

The Birmingham City school district in Alabama serves 27 elementary schools spanning Pre-K through 8th grade, with a student population facing significant socioeconomic challenges, as reflected in high free/reduced lunch rates across nearly all campuses.

For parents exploring this district, the standout options are clear. EPIC Alternative Elementary School is the top performer, ranking 40th statewide with exceptional test scores (72-79% proficient in Math, 88-91% in English), a remarkable 0.5% chronic absenteeism rate, and the best student-teacher ratio at 12.8:1. Princeton School follows closely at 86th statewide, with strong English scores and equally low absenteeism. Christian School shows impressive momentum, jumping from 358th to 175th in two years, with 97% 8th grade English proficiency. Phillips Academy also stands out for its exceptional 7th grade scores and 77.66% 8th grade Science proficiency. These top schools share common traits: low absenteeism (under 4%), smaller enrollments, and better student-teacher ratios.

At the other end, Hudson KEight School ranks 684th of 686 statewide with 0% proficiency in several math grades and 32.1% chronic absenteeism. Hayes K8 and Inglenook School also struggle significantly. District-wide, math proficiency lags 20-25 points below state averages, while English gaps are smaller at 15-20 points. Chronic absenteeism is the strongest predictor of performance—schools under 5% absenteeism average a rank of 150th, while those above 25% average 660th. Notably, higher spending doesn't guarantee results: Wylam Elementary School spends $13,796 per student yet ranks 641st, while Christian School spends just $9,125 and ranks 175th. Several schools show positive trends, including Avondale Elementary School (improved from 567th to 403rd) and Norwood Elementary School (615th to 514th), suggesting targeted interventions in attendance and math instruction could yield meaningful improvements across the district.