2023 Best Public Schools in Five Points South

• Birmingham, AL•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  67 reviews

Senior: The Alabama School of Fine Arts has six specialties available for study: Music, Theater, Creative Writing, Visual Arts, Dance, and Math-Science. An applicant must apply and audition for whichever specialty they choose. I am a Music student and as such, can only speak on the education given by the music and the academic faculty. There is a Music Hall with thirteen practice rooms, each equipped with a piano. Our classes consist of the choir, orchestra, ensembles, music theory, aural training, and the jazz band. I feel I have learned much that will prepare me for a musical career. The academic curriculum is rigorous but the teachers still find a way to keep the content uniquely interesting. The school requires focus and a passion for your specialty. Sometimes, the pressure and amount of work can overwhelm but friends can take the edge off. It is easy to make friends as there is such a diverse student body, you are bound to find someone with similar interests. Overall, a good school.... Read 67 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 337

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Homewood City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  263 reviews

Sophomore: Academically homewood offers anything you could ask for. Good teachers and extra help easily accessible. Only problem is the counselors don’t do enough 1 on 1 time with students so many are simply oblivious to what programs and classes are available to them. The sports teams are well cared for and our athletic facilities are very up to date. Also, wonderful custodial crew!... Read 263 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,223

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Homewood City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Middle School Student: As a student, Homewood Middle school is a place where the teachers care about your success and want you to be happy. They care if you are struggling and they really want to help. IT’S AN AMAZING SCHOOL!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,049

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Homewood City Schools, AL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Niche User: The school is superb in every way, from the principal being in carpool line mornings and afternoons to having a carpool line that makes sense. The lunches being good, healthy, kid friendly and tasty. Also, unlike the school my poor child suffered the 5th grade in, the teachers are respectful professionals and adults, not on the same level as the children they attempt to teach.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 479

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Jefferson County Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Senior: The diversity and academic challenges were especially great. The education from 6th-12th grade has been a great preparation for college.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 350

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Pelham City Schools, AL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: My husband and I moved to the Pelham community a few years ago with our three children. We have been extremely pleased with Pelham's small town charm that's only minutes away from family-friendly activities found throughout the Birmingham regional area. The school system has been great for our kids (who are currently in grades 1st, 8th, and 11th). More specifically, Pelham Ridge Elementary has been each child's first experience with Pelham City Schools. I've personally experienced administrators, teachers, custodians, and support staff go above and beyond to make learning fun in a nurturing environment. The on-site summer camp includes weekly field trips and water days. During football season, all age groups participate in a citywide homecoming parade and pep rally that's pretty amazing to experience. All of the schools within the system rally around each other, and EVERYONE (from kindergarten to 12th grade) is a Pelham Panther!... Read 6 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 784

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  313 reviews

Junior: I love my school's authenticness and how the school is a second family for me. The school has some very impactful teachers who are more like counselors. You can go to these teachers about everything from school drama to family problems. Its always good as a teen, to be able to come to a responsible adult about a situation. These impactful teachers are the ones that life your head when it's down or give you a pat on the back when you need one. Although my school is what many may consider large we are a tight family. After the tragic death of a senior at my school, we all had each other's back through it all. When student's loved ones pass we as a school try to make it a mission to help each other emotionally. Being that we are an academic driven school we put our grades before anything else. The school spirit at my school is like no other! Our school supports each other in everything we do. Our bond is authentic, we all want to succeed!... Read 313 reviews

• grade B

• Students 727

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.53 out of 5  15 reviews

Senior: Overall, I had an amazing experience here—obviously it's not perfect, but Andover was life-changing for me. I loved the teachers and made friends I'll have forever, and the academics were challenging in exactly the way I wanted. Go Big Blue!... Read 15 reviews

• grade B minus

• Students 674

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-8

• grade B minus

• Students 630

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• grade C+

• Students 319

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  109 reviews

Alum: Parker is a wonderful school. The teachers are very helpful and want to see the students succeed. Parker offers different organizations such Beta Club, Honor Society, and even robotics! I had great time during the four years I was there and I wish I could go back!... Read 109 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 708

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: I have 1 son who attended Princeton from K through 5 and 2 younger children who are attending presently. My oldest is currently in the Hoover School system and has been a high performer among his peers in a school system considered in the top 90th percentile in the state of Alabama. Princeton is a magnet school that accepts children from all areas and all ethnicities, unfortunately it is being 'dinged' here for diversity because the ethnic composition of the school is almost 100% African American. That's not a result of the curricula, the metrics, or any barrier for entry for other ethnic groups; the school just happens to be located in a predominantly 'black' area so other ethnic groups are not enrolling their children in Princeton. PTA participation is extremely high. The teachers are typically more tenured and have a history of positive results.... Read 1 review

• grade C

• Students 223

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• grade C minus

• Students 519

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade C minus

• Students 732

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  121 reviews

Senior: This school was phenomenal. It provides so many opportunities in clubs and academically which allowed students to move in professional and academic spaces.... Read 121 reviews

• grade C minus

• Students 589

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

• grade C minus

• Students 399

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: It's a school where I attended and all nine of my children attended for their kindergarten to fifth grade year... Read 1 review

• grade C minus

• Students 471

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• grade C minus

• Students 441

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• grade C minus

• Students 276

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• grade C minus

• Students 470

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: While attending Ossie Ware Mitchell I was involved in activities such as SGA and I played Softball my 7th & 8th Grade year. I was also a leader in a program the school started called JAG where we did volunteer work for different organizations, one being the Ronald McDonald House.... Read 1 review

• grade C minus

• Students 349

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• grade C minus

• Students 392

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.45 out of 5  97 reviews

Senior: Although it hasn’t been long since I’ve stayed at Woodlawn, I can say that it was a pretty fun experience. The teachers were nice giving tasks on time and making it easy for students to pass their classes. The students are a little questionable but majority of them you could click with. The environment itself isn’t too bad and is definitely a fun environment when with the right people. All and all from my experience I can say the opportunity was a good one and the time itself that I spent there is one that I’m going to miss.... Read 97 reviews

• grade C minus

• Students 793

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• grade C minus

• Students 493

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Birmingham City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• grade C minus

• Students 383

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1