Public schools in Birmingham, AL
71 open public schools with an address in Birmingham, operated by 7 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
71
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
32,175
63 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
18.4:1
Alabama median 17.2:1
Charter schools
7
7 magnet · 2 virtual
An overview of Birmingham public schools
The federal directory lists 71 public schools in Birmingham, AL: 41 elementary, 12 middle, 14 high, 4 combined or other. The 63 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 32,175 students, an average of 511 per school. The largest campus is Oak Mountain High School (1,648 students), and the largest elementary school is Glen Iris Elementary School (827).
Birmingham City operates the most schools here (49), and 3 regular districts have at least one Birmingham campus, plus 4 charter, service, or other agencies. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 18.4:1, higher than the statewide school median of 17.2:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 7 charter schools, 7 magnet schools, 2 virtual schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 12 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 9 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 7 of 12 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 67% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Birmingham
Birmingham City
Public school district
49 schools in Birmingham
Jefferson County
Public school district
9 schools in Birmingham · 57 total
Shelby County
Public school district
6 schools in Birmingham · 34 total
i3 Academy
Independent charter agency
3 schools in Birmingham
Legacy Prep
Independent charter agency
2 schools in Birmingham
Freedom Prep Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Birmingham
Magic City Acceptance Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Birmingham
Elementary schools in Birmingham
41| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avondale Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 339 | 17.8:1 | |
| Barrett Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 383 | 16.7:1 | |
| Bryant Park Elementary Jefferson County | PK–05 | 707 | 17.4:1 | |
| Center Point Elementary School Jefferson County | PK–02 | 557 | 16.6:1 | |
| Central Park Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 386 | 16.8:1 | |
| Chalkville Elementary School Jefferson County | PK–05 | 818 | 18.3:1 | |
| Charles A Brown Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 296 | 16.4:1 | |
| Christian School Birmingham City · Magnet | PK–08 | 574 | 17.9:1 | |
| Engle Day Treatment Birmingham City · Special Education School | 01–07 | — | — | |
| EPIC Alternative Elementary School Birmingham City · Magnet | PK–05 | 232 | 12.9:1 | |
| Freedom Prep Academy Freedom Prep Academy · Charter | KG–05 | 41 | — | |
| Glen Iris Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–06 | 827 | 21.8:1 | |
| Grantswood Community School Jefferson County | PK–05 | 394 | 15.3:1 | |
| Hayes K8 Birmingham City | PK–08 | 693 | 16.5:1 | |
| Hemphill Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 353 | 17.7:1 | |
| Homebound Elementary School Birmingham City · Special Education School | PK–06 | — | — | |
| Hudson KEight School Birmingham City | PK–08 | 580 | 19.3:1 | |
| Huffman Academy Birmingham City | PK–05 | 779 | 22.3:1 | |
| i3 Academy Elementary School i3 Academy · Charter | KG–05 | 411 | 16.4:1 | |
| Inglenook School Birmingham City | PK–08 | 312 | 22.3:1 | |
| Inverness Elementary School Shelby County | PK–03 | 563 | 16:1 | |
| Legacy Prep Legacy Prep · Charter | KG–03 | 317 | 18.1:1 | |
| Martha Gaskins K5 Birmingham City | PK–05 | 537 | 26.9:1 | |
| Minor Community School Jefferson County | PK–05 | 384 | 16.2:1 | |
| Minor Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 441 | 18.4:1 | |
| Mt Laurel Elementary School Shelby County | KG–05 | 498 | 16.3:1 | |
| Norwood Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 261 | 18.6:1 | |
| Oak Mountain Elementary School Shelby County | PK–03 | 675 | 16.1:1 | |
| Oak Mountain Intermediate School Shelby County | 04–05 | 636 | 17:1 | |
| Oliver K5 School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 343 | 20.8:1 | |
| Oxmoor K5 Birmingham City | PK–05 | 512 | 20.5:1 | |
| Phillips Academy Birmingham City · Magnet | PK–08 | 609 | 18.5:1 | |
| Princeton School Birmingham City · Magnet | PK–05 | 195 | 13:1 | |
| Richard Arrington Elementary Birmingham City | PK–05 | 341 | 18.9:1 | |
| Robinson Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 354 | 20.8:1 | |
| South Hampton K8 Birmingham City | PK–08 | 511 | 19.7:1 | |
| Sun Valley Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 678 | 20.5:1 | |
| Tuggle Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 423 | 23.5:1 | |
| Washington K8 Birmingham City | PK–08 | 617 | 20.6:1 | |
| West End Academy Birmingham City | PK–05 | 492 | 17.6:1 | |
| Wylam Elementary School Birmingham City | PK–05 | 399 | 17.3:1 |
Middle schools in Birmingham
12| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bush Hills STEAM Academy Birmingham City | 06–08 | 370 | 20.6:1 | |
| City Elementary Birmingham City · Alternative School | 07–08 | — | — | |
| Green Acres Middle School Birmingham City | 06–08 | 309 | 22.1:1 | |
| Huffman Middle School Birmingham City | 06–08 | 384 | 24:1 | |
| i3 Academy Middle School i3 Academy · Charter | 06–09 | 400 | 23.5:1 | |
| Jones Valley Middle School Birmingham City | 06–08 | 465 | 21.6:1 | |
| Legacy Prep Intermediate Legacy Prep · Charter | 04–08 | 219 | 19.9:1 | |
| Oak Mountain Middle School Shelby County | 06–08 | 1,168 | 18.5:1 | |
| Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School Birmingham City | 06–08 | 330 | 22:1 | |
| Smith Middle School Birmingham City | 06–08 | 336 | 21:1 | |
| WE Putnam Middle SchoolMagnet Birmingham City · Magnet | 06–08 | 184 | 10.8:1 | |
| Wilkerson Middle School Birmingham City | 06–08 | 424 | 35.3:1 |
High schools in Birmingham
14| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dupuy Alternative School Birmingham City · Alternative School | 09–12 | — | — | |
| Fultondale High School Jefferson County | 06–12 | 848 | 17.5:1 | |
| George Washington Carver High School Birmingham City | 09–12 | 570 | 14.6:1 | |
| Homebound High School Birmingham City · Special Education School | 07–12 | — | — | |
| Huffman High SchoolMagnet Birmingham City · Magnet | 09–12 | 1,094 | 18.5:1 | |
| i3 Academy High School i3 Academy · Charter | 09–12 | — | — | |
| JacksonOlin High School Birmingham City | 09–12 | 713 | 17.4:1 | |
| Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School Jefferson County | 06–12 | 345 | 17.7:1 | |
| Magic City Acceptance Academy Magic City Acceptance Academy · Charter | 06–12 | 345 | 15.7:1 | |
| Oak Mountain High School Shelby County | 09–12 | 1,648 | 18.5:1 | |
| Parker High School Birmingham City | 09–12 | 942 | 21.9:1 | |
| Ramsay High School Birmingham City | 09–12 | 762 | 16.6:1 | |
| Wenonah High School Birmingham City | 09–12 | 670 | 17.2:1 | |
| Woodlawn High SchoolMagnet Birmingham City · Magnet | 09–12 | 750 | 23.4:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Birmingham
4| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adolescent Day Treatment Birmingham City · Special Education School | KG–12 | — | — | |
| BCS Virtual Academy of Learning Birmingham City · Virtual | 03–12 | 184 | 23:1 | |
| Jefferson County Counseling Learning CenterEast Jefferson County · Alternative School | KG–12 | — | — | |
| Jefferson County Virtual School Jefferson County · Virtual | 01–12 | 247 | — |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White15.1%
- Hispanic13.1%
- Black68.9%
- Asian1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial1.7%
Enrollment-weighted across 63 Birmingham schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (32,175 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Birmingham
How many public schools are in Birmingham, AL?
The current NCES directory lists 71 open public schools with a location address in Birmingham: 41 elementary, 12 middle, 14 high, 4 combined or other. Together they reported 32,175 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Birmingham?
Schools with an address in Birmingham belong to 7 education agencies, led by Birmingham City (49 schools), Jefferson County (9 schools), Shelby County (6 schools). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in Birmingham?
Oak Mountain High School reported the largest high-school enrollment in Birmingham, with 1,648 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Birmingham?
Yes. 7 of the 71 public schools in Birmingham are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Freedom Prep Academy, i3 Academy Elementary School, i3 Academy High School. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Birmingham schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Birmingham public schools is 18.4:1, higher than the Alabama school median of 17.2:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Birmingham guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Alabama cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Alabama cities