2023 Best School Districts in the Birmingham Area

• Homewood, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.45 out of 5  40 reviews

Senior: My Homewood High School experience was very fun and busy. I played football, baseball, wrestling, and lacrosse. Having to juggle all these sports, school, and becoming an Eagle Scout was difficult, but with the help of the Homewood staff I was able to get it all done. Homewood is a very unique school system and it is rated one of the best in the country. Their band is known worldwide and their show choir is outstanding. Homewood does not stop at athletics though, the teaching staff is also rated one of the best in the state, if not the country. They are always willing to help you in any way that you need and are very kind and understanding. It is also a safe environment for everyone no matter your race, ethnicity, or religion. All of that to say I am very pleased with my High School experience at Homewood.... Read 40 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 5

• Students 4,200

• Vestavia Hills, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  41 reviews

Senior: Vestavia Hills schools are well-known for exceptional academics and college preparation. Students at the high school have the opportunity to take advanced, AP, and college classes with outstanding educators. While I appreciate that I will be ready for college, what I enjoy most is the culture. Vestavia Hills High School has a study body of just over 2,000. Although it is a large school, it is small enough that students know most of their classmates. A large number of clubs and extracurricular offerings ensures students can find their niche. Though Vestavia Hills schools provide a rich learning and social environment, they do lack economic and racial diversity. The vast majority of students are from white upper middle-class families. Increasing diversity would benefit the students; however, in my experience, the atmosphere of inclusion at Vestavia Hills schools ensures no one is left out.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 9

• Students 7,087

• Hoover, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.57 out of 5  65 reviews

Senior: I enjoyed my years at Hoover High. I really liked my teachers and they were really helpful. I took great pride in being a buccaneer especially being a football athlete. Hoover High has great team spirit.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 18

• Students 13,640

• Mountain Brook, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.34 out of 5  29 reviews

Alum: The people (faculty and staff alike) were fantastic, but the grinding culture and minimal tolerance for diverse approaches to learning were difficult to overcome. The school is working to fix their issues with the arts department and money distribution, however, and I hope they continue to listen to their students.... Read 29 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 6

• Students 4,441

• Trussville, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Senior: I like my teachers and the options for extracurricular activities. My counselors helped me a lot also. I feel prepared for college learning.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A+

• Total schools 5

• Students 4,816

• Alabaster, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.3 out of 5  408 reviews

Other: Great school system! They have great training for new hires as well as many opportunities to grow! Great students and faculty as well!... Read 408 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 5

• Students 6,187

• Pelham, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.37 out of 5  57 reviews

Parent: We've lived in Pelham for 18 years. I had one child graduate PHS and one graduating next year. We have had nothing but good experiences. I love how much support the system has given to the music, band, and art programs!... Read 57 reviews

• grade A

• Total schools 4

• Students 3,396

• Columbiana, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.12 out of 5  43 reviews

Freshman: My name is Keirsten Rogers, I'm a freshman at Helena High School soon to be an upcoming sophomore next fall. The best parts of Helena are the people, the teachers, and the diversity. The people I've met for the most part have been great, the teachers do their best to provide their classes with guidance, and the diversity has alway made me, a minority feel included in the school. The worst parts are the environment, the lack of discipline, and the exclusivity. The environment in Helena is not always great, kids are constantly committing heinous crimes and using vulgar language, administration doesn't discipline these acts as well as they should, and not everyone includes everyone in all school things. I'd like to see the bad environment turn into a positive environment with good language and academic learning all around. I'd love to see administration come up with a better disciplinary system. I'd like to see everyone at Helena come together as one and connect with inclusitivity.... Read 43 reviews

• grade A minus

• Total schools 31

• Students 20,438

• Leeds, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  8 reviews

Junior: Leeds is a school system that you can fit in at. With the multiple successful alumni including Charles Barkley there is an underlying feel to the school entirely. When going to Leeds you feel proud to be a Leeds student and want to do your best to represent well in any way you can.... Read 8 reviews

• grade B+

• Total schools 4

• Students 2,097

• Birmingham, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  116 reviews

Senior: Excellent teachers, administrators, and students. An all-around great community effort establishing a school with a culture of positive learning and success. Love the opportunities not just in athletics but a wide range of academic courses to choose from and a love of the arts as well!... Read 116 reviews

• grade B minus

• Total schools 58

• Students 35,336

• Tarrant, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Sophomore: All the staff and faculty members are extremely nice! The campus stays open late and has many resources for its students.... Read 2 reviews

• grade C

• Total schools 3

• Students 1,227

• Birmingham, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 3.58 out of 5  57 reviews

Senior: I love the tools and resources to BCS students to ensure student success! During the summers, there are enrichment programs designed to give students additional help, or to get ahead in the next school year. I also love the BCS provides the Birmingham Promise Program which covers tuition for many AL schools. I also love the amount of extra curricular activities the schools provide.... Read 57 reviews

• grade C minus

• Total schools 51

• Students 21,597

• Fairfield, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  17 reviews

Senior: My experience at Fairfield High Preparatory School had been great, maybe because I have lived in the city my whole life. The school is filled with with amazing individuals who really just want to make the best out of there life, everyone at our school at least has a dream to be something in life. Something I would change in my school would be the image we have a horrible reputation with violence and academics, and that is not the only thing we have to offer.... Read 17 reviews

• grade C minus

• Total schools 6

• Students 1,552

• Midfield, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.4 out of 5  5 reviews

Alum: I like the activities such as the athletic department, I loved that no matter win or lose we supported all our athletes. Football and basketball games where filled with students and parents and even faculties. I loved the fact that we were head strong about making a change to the school. We voiced our opinions about what we think should be changed about our school and fought for the things we wanted as students. I appreciate that no teacher left a student hanging, communication was understandable, you received the help that you needed if you needed it.... Read 5 reviews

• grade C minus

• Total schools 4

• Students 1,022

• Bessemer, AL•

• School District

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  Rating 4.07 out of 5  30 reviews

Senior: Bessemer City Schools are very considerate and well - managed. This school is an educational institution that provide learning spaces and learning environments for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers.... Read 30 reviews

• grade D+

• Total schools 9

• Students 3,318