Alabama School Of Fine Arts ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math was ≥95% (which was higher than the Alabama state average of 82%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts was ≥95% (which was higher than the Alabama state average of 86%).
School Overview
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
Total Students (07-08)
359 students
Total Classroom Teachers (06-07)
47 teachers
School Rankings
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(11-12)≥95%
82%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(11-12)≥95%
86%
Student : Teacher Ratio
n/a
18:1
American Indian
(07-08)n/a
1%
Asian
(07-08)14%
1%
Hispanic
(07-08)1%
4%
Black
(07-08)18%
36%
White
(07-08)67%
58%
Hawaiian
(07-08)n/a
n/a
Two or more races
(07-08)n/a
n/a
Eligible for Free Lunch (06-07)
4%
42%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (06-07)
3%
9%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Alabama School Of Fine Arts School District
Source: 2021-2022 (latest school year available) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- The Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) is a public, partially residential high school located in Birmingham, Alabama. The mission of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, a community of explorers, is to nurture impassioned students by guiding and inspiring them to discover and fulfill their individual creative abilities in an atmosphere distinguished by the fusion of fact and feeling, risk and reward, art and science, school and community.
- Overview: ASFA admits students into one of six specialty programs:
- creative writing, music, dance, theater, visual arts, or mathematics and sciences. The five arts departments are among the most prestigious in the nation. The mathematics and sciences program, housed in the school's Russell Mathematics and Science Center, is among the best of its kind and is a member of NCSSSMST. ASFA boasts one of the strongest academic core programs in Alabama, with 100% of ASFA students passing the Alabama graduation exam.
- The school began in 1968 with grants by Governor Lurleen Wallace to Birmingham, AL arts organizations for after-school instructional activities. After receiving legislative approval in 1971, the school grew quickly into a comprehensive arts institution. In 1976, the school created a private, non-profit support organization, the ASFA Foundation, to enlist private sector assistance to address school needs. The schools Board of Trustees appoints members to the Foundations Board of Directors, which approves foundation policy and employs an Executive Director, who directs foundation operations. In 1991, the school added its sixth and final specialty program, the mathematics and science department. In 1993, ASFA moved into its new instructional and performance complex in the heart of the Birmingham cultural district.
- Because ASFA is a public school funded by the Alabama legislature, students who are residents of Alabama pay no tuition. Enrollment is not limited to Alabama residents, but out of state students must pay tuition. Scholarships are available to help defray the cost of room and board for students who demonstrate financial need.
- Admission into ASFA is highly competitive. Prospective students must first submit an application for admission with test scores, transcripts, essays, and three letters of recommendation. Select students are then invited to audition for their chosen department. For the arts departments, audition is through performance, portfolios, and interview. For the mathematics and science department, audition is through interview and two rounds of testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≥95% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 82% AL state average), while ≥95% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 86% AL state average).
How many students attend Alabama School Of Fine Arts?
359 students attend Alabama School Of Fine Arts.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
67% of Alabama School Of Fine Arts students are White, 18% of students are Black, 14% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What grades does Alabama School Of Fine Arts offer ?
Alabama School Of Fine Arts offers enrollment in grades 7-12
What school district is Alabama School Of Fine Arts part of?
Alabama School Of Fine Arts is part of Alabama School Of Fine Arts School District.
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