2024 Best Schools Offering AP Courses in the Birmingham Area

• Indian Springs, AL•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  84 reviews

Freshman: I'm a new freshman at Springs, and so far, my experience has been outstanding! The curriculum is flexible and tailored to challenge everyone (one of my freshman friends is taking Adv Precalc and AP Stats!) However, the faculty are helpful and supportive. The natural campus is unique, and the buildings blend in with this incredible setting. Cafeteria food is varied -- we have different themes including Pasta Bars, Chinese food, Korean barbecue, etc. The student body is diverse, and everyone is friendly and incredibly talented in their unique way. There are no traditional cliques here, so you'll feel at-home quickly. We have a wide range of extracurricular activities from sports, arts, service to personal interests, which we are given plenty of time and freedom to pursue. However, my only complaint is about the suites rooming 6 people each, fitting 2 students into rooms designed to house one. They are extremely crowded, noisy and contribute to a significant portion of student drama here.... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 330

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Birmingham, AL•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  26 reviews

Parent: The Altamont School has been a part of my family for many years. I attended Altamont grades 7-12, my husband attended grades 5-12, and I am now a parent to current 5th and 7th graders. As a student myself, I loved every aspect of Altamont. The community, teachers, classes, sports - everything! I have nothing but fond memories of my years there and was thrilled for the day I could send my children to school at Altamont. Although the school has grown and changed in many positive ways since I was there, my kids have had a similar experience. They love the community, the teachers, their classes and the many friendships they have made.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 389

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Birmingham, AL•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  70 reviews

Senior: I have spent 5 years at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. I truly believe it's the best place for high school students to study the arts and sciences in Alabama. Some of ASFA's top traits are its beautiful facilities for the arts, its acceptance of different communities, and its strong faculty. Throughout my time at ASFA, I have learned about time management, how to build a community, and how to thrive as a leader. Going to a school with a diverse student body and an accepting atmosphere directly influenced my confidence and my ability to grow over 5 years in the most pivotal years of my life. Going to a school without traditional high school activities like sports and Homecoming, I sometimes feel like I missed out on important experiences of a normal high school career. ASFA also has a tendency to completely burn out its students with its rigorous academic classes as well as the long hours spent in the school. I would like to see more diversity in the faculty.... Read 70 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 357

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Homewood City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  266 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 266 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,267

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Mountain Brook City Schools, AL•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  115 reviews

Sophomore: Excellent for Music, Academics, and Sports. Not that diverse, but if you want to get an amazing education, go here. Best school in the state (In my opinion). Also, after reading these reviews, being in the band, and being a white straight male, bullying is apparent, however it is FAR worse in other schools. Overall, 9.5/10, teachers are willing to help, and 25% of them are nice. WARNING: the Administration is ignorant and usually so not listen to students... Read 115 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 978

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Hoover City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  283 reviews

Alum: I had the best four years at Spain Park. As an immigrant it was very easy for me to find a group and connect with other students. The school made me feel welcomed, and administrator helped me with everything. I had the best time at football games, pep rallies, dances, and more. The academic opportunities are wide!... Read 283 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,579

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Vestavia Hills City Schools, AL•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  282 reviews

Parent: We have had a good experience at Vestavia Hills High School. There have been many opportunities to get involved with sports and clubs and leadership opportunities. The teachers and administrators have been great for the most part, supportive and helpful. I do wish there was a little more teaching time and less computer assignments and free time in class. The school is very helpful in making sure your child is prepared for college or whatever other option they choose to do after graduation. If you ask for guidance, they are there to help. You need to be involved and intentional. I feel like my children are safe there, and if they ever feel unsafe or if issues arise, the leadership is very interested in helping resolve the situation.... Read 282 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,561

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Hoover City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  510 reviews

Alum: Hoover High School is in a district with the most diverse opportunities and people. The Hoover district is one of the most diversed areas in Alabama. The majority of the people living in state is black and white; Hoover district is slowly growing to be open for more minority people such as Asians. This school ranges from learning levels of regular classes to AP classes to IB classes. There are many extracurricular activities for the students to enjoy - For example, I did an engineering program, computer science program, band, foreign language, and core classes. Do I recommend for these students to do a full schedule of classes and have constant stress where-or-not you regret taking too many classes, no, but the fact that I was still able to do all these classes shows many interests the school gives their students to try out. Overall, Hoover High School is a great, trustful school that provides a perliforate of opportuinties for students to learn and figure out their intrests.... Read 510 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,716

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Mountain Brook City Schools, AL•

• 7-9

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Junior: Like all schools, Mountain Brook Junior High has its advantages and its disadvantages. Its education is incredible. The teachers, for the most part, are kind, dedicated, and knowledgeable. MBJH also has great athletic programs, especially in track / cross country, volleyball, and football, and wonderful programs in the arts. However, there are also places where it falls short. While MBJH does not have many cases of violent bullying, it has many cases of cyberbullying and exclusion. Overall though, it is an excellent school.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 968

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Birmingham, AL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  132 reviews

Senior: John Carroll Catholic High School has been very impactful on the development of myself. I was given opportunities to strengthen my faith through weekly mass, retreats, and monthly chapel visits. The smallness of the school allows for the students to connect on a deeper level. The teachers have been nothing but nice and supportive of all of the students. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend John Carroll and all of the blessings it has out into my life. One thing I would like to see change is the maintenance. There is only one or two people taking care of the school and the maintenance, and they are getting old.... Read 132 reviews

• grade A

• Students 540

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Birmingham, AL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  70 reviews

Parent: As parents, we've been really impressed with the quality of education our children are receiving at Briarwood. Their curriculum is advanced but age appropriate. They don't place onerous homework burdens on young kids. As Christians, we're confident that Briarwood is providing our children with a education centered around Jesus. We love this sweet school!... Read 70 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,850

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Trussville City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  281 reviews

Senior: HTHS gives their students an amazing chance at a wonderful future! We have excellent teachers and staff who help us achieve our personal, athletic, and academic goals. They realize college is not for everyone, so they don't push that on the people who would rather earn a trade or a skill. Which we all know are equally as important as a career that requires college. Our advisors plug into our lives and make us aware of opportunities that can help improve our resume, increase our grades and give us a jump start in the direction we are headed. Being apart of our softball program has trained me to become a better person on and off the field. My coaches keep a close eye on my grades and continuously push me out of my comfort zone so that I can continue to improve. We have work outs, practices, and trainers to assist us with both. Our team has been State Champions for the past two years and it did not come without hard work and dedication. Skills we learn on the field and in the classroom.... Read 281 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,603

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Birmingham, AL•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  37 reviews

Parent: Westminster has surpassed all expectations my husband and I had for our sons kindergarten education. The decision to educate our son at home or to send him to a formal school was no longer a question after we toured the school and saw the genuine love and respect the staff and students mutually shared with each other. The inclusion of instructional support teachers for every grade is also a huge supplement to the school that we were unaware of prior to the school tour. It gave my husband and I peace to know someone was working one on one with our child each day outside of the normal classroom to build up his strengths and find weaknesses at an early age. My son has grown leaps and bounds this year spiritually, academically and socially, he can find truths of scripture in every activity he performs, and in all the work he completes! Westminster truly gifts every child an extraordinary education, an investment that will last a lifetime!... Read 37 reviews

• grade A

• Students 563

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Alabaster City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  983 reviews

Senior: Being able to be a part of Thompson High School has been one of the greatest opportunities I have received due to various opportunities that this school offers in order to get a well education and a sneak peak of it's like to be in a college class by offering different college challenging classes. This school has been one of the most recognizable, well, and outstanding academic workings in the state of Alabama. Offering help to many students of any age, gender, and especially different backgrounds or cultures. There is always going to be place for any student wanting to be part of the Thompson community. The moment someone becomes a freshman in high school, Thompson provides great resources for future success for their students such as ACT Dianostics and ACT preps in order to help more students earn those points for scholarship opportunities. Help is always there but what most students do not do is ask or look for help. Helping students with those insecurities will be beneficial.... Read 983 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,175

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  306 reviews

Senior: I moved to Shelby County Schools when I was in third grade, and I'm happy I did because, I have made so many amazing people! High School is definitely a difficult time it's where most people find who they are, or who they want to be, and it's really the beginning of 'adult hood'. You learn to manage time like: homework, schoolwork, and getting to class on time. And you make lots of friends throughout your 8 different classes, each year. I have done soccer all throughout high school, and there have been many ups and lots of downs. I would never say it's the worst part of high school, but balancing soccer and school is hard, and it got harder throughout the years. For example, I have 3 jobs right now, I am involved with my church, I am on 2 soccer teams, and I am taking AP Gov/Econ., Dual Enrollment English 101/102, and Dual Enrollment Biology 101/102. However, I love high school and I know that this, last, year at Oak Mountain High School will be awesome.... Read 306 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,540

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Pelham City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  290 reviews

Junior: Pelham High School is an amazing place to be because each year they add new electives and clubs that help students prepare for college. They also have tons of programs that help increase students ACT scores and help get amazing scholarships. As a junior in Pelham High School, I can assure you that this place does whatever they can to make it environmentally friendly and drug -free, make students enjoy going to school everyday, and most importantly making them as successful as they could ever be.... Read 290 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,058

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Alabaster, AL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  98 reviews

Alum: My experience here overall was good, I am grateful for my education which greatly prepared me for college. I came out of my shell at this school, I became a great public speaker, and learned more here than I would have at any other schools in the area. However, Evangel does not have many extra curriculars besides a few sports teams. There is no band which I would have enjoyed being apart of. I also did not have any guidance in preparing for college and deciding on what I wanted to major in, this later caused me to change my major three times and I now will be in college well past my original graduation date. Evangel is a good school for conservative Christian families in the south, one thing I have noticed among myself and others that have graduated from this school is that most students thrive exponentially once they graduate. They get the chance to figure out who they are as a person and who they want to be.... Read 98 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 338

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  158 reviews

Senior: At Helena High School, I had an interesting experience. Sometimes I absolutely hated it and sometimes I never wanted to leave. One of the things I hated the most was, not being able to be on our phones. I could not even touch it or I would get it taken away. I also did not like how we had eight classes in a day. Having to sit in a classroom for 45 minutes, learn every subject, and have to remember it all is a challenge. I wish we would do block schedules. Block schedules are where you only study two core subjects per semester. You could do English and science the first semester and really get to learn it and then next semester do history and math. Then students would not be stressed about having two tests in one day, homework, and quizzes, all you would have to do is worry about those two classes. Now on to the good part, I really did love Helena. We had so much fun with dress-ups, Friday night lights, softball games, and all the fun activities we would get to do.... Read 158 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,397

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Jefferson County Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  351 reviews

Senior: My experience at Shades Valley has been the best years of my life! I lost my dad at the beginning of my 9th-grade year. The whole school, my teachers, counselors, friends, and my Coaches' football team showed me so much love. The teachers were always there ready to help with whatever I needed. Shades Valley has prepared me for College. I am ready to enter into the next phase of my education. I owe it all to my teachers and Counselors. My Counselors connected me with male mentors who helped work with me gave me great advice and were always there for me. I guess the worst would have to be going through high school without my dad and losing my engineer teacher who was taking me under his wing to make sure I understood everything about engineering. Thank God Shades Valley hired another great engineer-teacher who helped me in the same way. My dad graduated from Shades Valley. Some of his teachers were still there teaching. I wouldn't change anything!... Read 351 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,174

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Birmingham, AL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  42 reviews

Senior: The school has enabled me to pursue what I want in academically challenging courses and they are able to tailor each students needs. They also provide many community service opportunities. The property/facilities is ok, but that is because they moved in about two years ago in the new location. They have a good job fixing it up and they like to engage the students in the renovations.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 200

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Jefferson County Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  132 reviews

Senior: The school spirit and pride of this school has been the main thing we celebrate. Even if we don't always win, the community of the school itself is what makes it great. The semi-recent turf field has also been a great help for football games. Some things that might need changing are a couple of the teachers or how they teach, and increased support for the middle school band.... Read 132 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 846

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  228 reviews

Senior: Throughout my years at Chelsea high school, I had a wonderful time. The school provided me with the "real" high school experience. Although it lacked in some ways like sports, food, resources, etc. The social aspect of it made up for it. Everyone has so much school spirit and is always willing to help when needed. One of the main faults of Chelsea High School, was their lack of opportunity for the tennis team. I was on the team freshman through Senior year, but it was difficult for us because we didn't have tennis courts. We had to travel to play our matches, which used gas and lots of time. I think the school could provide the team tennis courts so they don't have to travel. They put a lot of money into the football team, but no so much smaller sports. On the other hand, the school's staff was probably the best part. I made so many great relationships with my teachers over the years. The teachers aren't just good at their jobs, but they're supportive as well.... Read 228 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 1,433

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Leeds City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  127 reviews

Junior: Personally moving from California to Alabama was a great change and impact to me but with the help of my cousin, I got to fit right in at Leeds High School. Overall, besides the other schools connected to it, their building is the biggest out of the city and even though it's normal to get lost, cleaning is very tidy. The halls are usually quiet and my favorite thing about it all is the cafeteria and the auditorium which is like a move theater. The teachers are great depending on which classes you attend but most are really amazing and friendly. In our school, we have some unique classes which for others might be considered college ready due to our school having Dual Enrollment and have classes which you would see in colleges/universities. The only thing I considered they would change would be the gym as in even though it's huge, not many people use it as their class and when it comes to the cafeteria, I feel like the staff should consider more chairs and grade/class arrangements.... Read 127 reviews

• grade B

• Students 614

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Shelby County Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  149 reviews

Senior: I wish the school would be updated physically. Otherwise the teachers are wonderful and the environment is favorable.... Read 149 reviews

• grade B

• Students 551

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• St Clair County Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  138 reviews

Senior: Springville High School prides itself in following the Tiger Code. Our Tiger Code stands for living with Truth, Integrity, Generosity, Encouragement, and Respect. Both the students and faculty live by this everyday encouraging others to succeed and try their best in everything that they do. Our school continues to spread school spirit and support all athletes and academic achievers to spread the love for our school and community.... Read 138 reviews

• grade B

• Students 773

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1