A Parents guide to private schools in the Birmingham Metro
One of the first things families ask when relocating to Birmingham — or when weighing where to buy a home here — is what the private school landscape looks like. Birmingham has a surprisingly strong private school market, ranging from rigorous college prep institutions to faith-based schools with strong athletic programs. Here's a straightforward breakdown of the top options, what they're known for, and what to expect on tuition.
The Altamont School
Grades: 5–12 | Location: Red Mountain, Birmingham | Tuition: ~$23,600/year
Altamont sits atop Red Mountain and is widely considered one of the most academically rigorous college prep schools in Alabama. It was formed in 1975 through a merger of two longstanding Birmingham schools and draws students from across the metro. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1 and 100% of graduates enrolling in four-year colleges, it's the go-to option for families who want a demanding, intellectually driven environment. It's non-religious and co-ed, which sets it apart from several of the faith-based options in the market.
Indian Springs School
Grades: 8–12 | Location: Indian Springs Village (south of Birmingham) | Tuition: Contact school directly
Indian Springs is consistently ranked the top private high school in the Birmingham area, and it's both a day school and a boarding school — drawing students from across the state and beyond. The 350-acre campus bordering Moss Rock Preserve gives it an unusually immersive feel. It's small by design (around 340 students total), and academically it's in the same tier as Altamont — challenging, college prep, and highly regarded for students who go on to selective universities. Worth noting for families not already in the Birmingham area: the boarding option makes this a school worth considering even before you settle on a neighborhood.
Highlands School
Grades: PK–8 | Location: Mountain Brook area, Birmingham | Tuition: ~$20,000/year
Highlands is a well-regarded option for younger students, covering pre-K through 8th grade with a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio. It's progressive and student-centered in its approach, and families who choose it often transition their kids to Altamont or Indian Springs for high school. If you're looking for a private elementary and middle school experience that feeds into the more competitive secondary prep schools, Highlands is a natural pipeline.
Briarwood Christian School
Grades: PK–12 | Location: Briarwood area, Birmingham | Tuition: ~$8,550/year (high school)
Briarwood Christian is the largest private school in the metro, enrolling close to 1,850 students across all grades. It's affiliated with Briarwood Presbyterian Church and offers a full K–12 program, making it a popular choice for families who want a single-school experience from kindergarten through graduation. The tuition is notably more accessible than the independent prep schools, and the school has strong athletic programs alongside its academic curriculum. Members of Briarwood Presbyterian Church receive a tuition discount, which is worth knowing if that's your church home.
John Carroll Catholic High School
Grades: 9–12 | Location: Birmingham | Tuition: Contact school directly
John Carroll is the Birmingham metro's flagship Catholic high school, with strong academics and a well-established athletic tradition. It draws students from across Jefferson County and is a natural choice for Catholic families who want a faith-integrated high school experience. Enrollment runs close to 500 students, keeping class sizes manageable while still supporting a full range of extracurriculars and competitive sports.
Westminster School at Oak Mountain
Grades: K–12 | Location: Oak Mountain / Shelby County | Tuition: Contact school directly
Westminster is a classical, Christ-centered school on the south side of the metro, a good fit for families who prioritize a traditional, structured curriculum with an explicitly Christian framework. It's grown significantly in recent years and serves families who may live closer to Hoover, Pelham, or the I-65 corridor south of Birmingham.
A Note on the CHOOSE Act
Alabama's CHOOSE Act, which went into full effect in 2025, provides educational savings accounts that can offset private school tuition for qualifying families. This is worth factoring into your budget conversations — the program has made private school more financially accessible for many Birmingham-area families than it would have been even a few years ago. Each school's admissions office can walk you through how to apply the benefit toward their tuition.
How This Fits Into Your Home Search
Where you choose to live in the Birmingham metro genuinely shapes which of these schools is practical on a day-to-day basis. Altamont and Highlands draw heavily from Mountain Brook, Homewood, and the south Birmingham neighborhoods. Briarwood Christian makes most sense logistically for families on the south side or in Hoover. Indian Springs is a longer drive from most neighborhoods but draws from the whole metro given its boarding option and reputation. Westminster is most convenient from the Shelby County suburbs.
If you're buying a home and a specific school is on your list, it's worth mapping the commute before you fall in love with a house. I help families think through this regularly — happy to walk you through which neighborhoods make the most sense for your school priority.
