Alabama is the #24 largest school system in the United States, serving 751,099 students across the 1,532 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 452 private schools, serving 81,781 students). 90% of all K-12 students in Alabama attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Alabama is 30%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 47%.
The top-ranked public schools in Alabama are Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School, Crestline Elementary School, and Eicholdmertz School Of Math And Science. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 50%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 17:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Alabama (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
Magnet School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
3440 Mcgehee Rd
Montgomery, AL 36111
(334) 284-7500
Montgomery, AL 36111
(334) 284-7500
Rank: #22.
Crestline Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
3785 Jackson Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 871-8126
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 871-8126
Rank: #33.
Eicholdmertz School Of Math And Science
Magnet School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 81% (Top 1%)
Reading: 90% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
2815 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 221-1105
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 221-1105
Rank: #44.
Forest Avenue Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1700 W 5th St
Montgomery, AL 36106
(334) 269-3673
Montgomery, AL 36106
(334) 269-3673
Rank: #55.
Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park
(Math: 80% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80% (Top 1%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
17051 Liberty Pkwy
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 402-5400
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 402-5400
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Eura Brown Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
1231 Alcott Rd
Gadsden, AL 35901
(256) 546-0011
Gadsden, AL 35901
(256) 546-0011
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Mt Laurel Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
1 Jefferson Place
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 682-7230
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 682-7230
Rank: #88.
Cherokee Bend Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 83% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
4400 Fair Oaks Dr
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 871-3595
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 871-3595
Rank: #99.
Vestavia Hills Elementary East
(Math: 76% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 76% (Top 5%)
Reading: 87% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
2109 Tyson Dr
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 402-5200
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 402-5200
Rank: #1010.
Brookwood Forest Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 81% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-6
3701 S Brookwood Rd
Birmingham, AL 35223
(205) 414-3700
Birmingham, AL 35223
(205) 414-3700
Overview
This State (AL)
US
# Schools
1,532 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
751,099 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
43,215 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (AL)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
43%
Graduation Rate
90%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
53%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
1%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.64
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
5,822 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
11,162 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
90,562 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
12%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
235,361 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
31%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
376,215 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
50%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
804 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
31,172 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (AL)
Statewide Total Revenue
$11,791 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$11,166 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$15,699
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$14,867
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Alabama Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Alabama?
The top-ranked public schools in Alabama include Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School, Crestline Elementary School, and Eicholdmertz School Of Math And Science.
How many public schools are located in Alabama?
1,532 public schools are located in Alabama.
What percentage of students in Alabama go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Alabama attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Alabama?
Minority enrollment in Alabama is 50%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in Alabama are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Alabama include: Hackleburg High School vs. Hamilton High School, Ashland Elementary School vs. Lineville Elementary School, Lineville Elementary School vs. Ashland Elementary School
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