5 top-rated private high schools in Birmingham, including The Altamont School

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Class of 2018 at John Carroll Catholic High School. Photo via John Carroll Catholic High School.

For parents, there will always be a debate about the best way to do things when raising your children. One never-ending debate among parents is whether to send their kids to a high school that is public or private. If you are leaning toward private school, here are five of the top-rated private high schools in Birmingham.

The Altamont School

Established in 1975, The Altamont School is a co-educational, traditional college preparatory independent day school.

You can find it atop Red Mountain in a secluded residential neighborhood just a few quick minutes from downtown Birmingham. Its main campus sits on 28 acres with 40 classrooms and 15,000-volume library.

Address: 4801 Altamont Rd., S. Birmingham, AL 35222
Contact: 205.879.2006
Head of School: Christopher Durst
Grades Enrolled: 5-12
Students Enrolled: 350
Athletics Offered: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
Arts Offered: Fine and Performing Arts
Notable Alum: Daniel Wallace, author of Big Fish
Tuition

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The Altamont School’s 2018 state champs in girls track and field and boys track and field. Photo courtesy of The Altamont School.
Briarwood Christian High School

Address: 6255 Cahaba Valley Rd., Birmingham, AL 35242
Contact: 205.776.5900
Head of School: Shawn Brower
Grades Enrolled: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 559
Athletics Offered: Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor/Outdoor track, Softball, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball
Arts Offered: Performing Arts -Band, Choral Music, Drama, Lion Guard; Visual Arts – Photography, The Artisan, Visual Arts
Notable Alum: Cat Reddick, Olympic Gold Medalist Women’s National Soccer Team
Tuition

Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School

Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School is a private, traditional Catholic school operated by the Diocese of Birmingham. In 2007, it became part of the national Cristo Rey Network, which is comprised of 32 high schools across the country.

Located in the Ensley neighborhood of Birmingham, HFCR combines a corporate work-study program with a rigorous academic curriculum to provide higher education to students who normally would not be able to afford a college preparatory education.

Address: 2001 19th St. Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35218 
Contact:
205.787.9937 or click here
Principal: Cheryl Kuyuk
Grades Enrolled: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 255
Arts Offered: None
Athletics Offered: Basketball
Notable Alum: Annie Easley, NASA computer scientist
Tuition

Indian Springs School

Founded in 1952, Indian Springs School is a private school that includes both boarding and day students. Located at the base of Oak Mountain in Indian Springs Village, the school rests on a 350-acre campus.

Its mission is for its students to develop a love of learning and creativity, a sense of integrity and moral courage and an ethic of participatory citizenship with respect for individuality and independent thought.

Address: 190 Woodward Dr., Pelham, AL 35124
Contact: 205.988.3350
Head of SchoolDr. Sharon L. Howell
Grades Enrolled: 8-12
Students Enrolled: 315 (day and boarding); Day students – 231; Boarding students – 84
Arts Offered: Choir, Contemporary Music, Instrumental Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts
Athletics Offered: Basketball, Baseball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Fishing, Golf, Swimming, Softball, Soccer, Tennis, and Volleyball
Famous Alum: David Oh (1987), NASA flight director
Tuition

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Indian Spring School students Virginia Hunt, Madeleine Davis, Ada Cohen, Logan McFadden and Caroline Ritchie. Photo via Indian Springs School.
John Carroll Catholic High School

John Carroll Catholic high School is one of six Catholic High School’s serving the Roman Catholic Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama. Its current location on Lakeshore Pkwy was opened in 1992 with a campus that includes academic, fine arts and athletic facilities.

Address: 300 Lakeshore Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35209
Contact: 205.940.2400 or click here
Head of School: Joseph O’Toole
Grades Enrolled: 9-12
Students Enrolled:
588
Athletics Offered: Volleyball, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Dance, Cheerleading, LaCrosse
Arts Offered: Band, Choir, Theatre, Visual Arts
Notable Alum: Trace Armstrong (1984), Pro Bowl football player
Tuition and Fees

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Photo via John Carroll Catholic High School.

Do your kids attend any of the private schools listed?

Patience Itson
Patience Itson
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