If you’re looking to get into one of the top private schools in Alabama, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Alabama is home to over 416 private colleges and universities serving about 80018 students as of 2022, so there are plenty of great ones to choose from.
There are private schools in different counties, for example; there are private schools in Birmingham and even some top private schools in Huntsville.
If you’re interested in seeing the full list of top Alabama private universities, keep reading this article!
We have compiled an extensive list of the 20 best Private universities in Alabama and from these 20 amazing schools, you will surely find one that meets your needs!
How do you get into a private school in Alabama?
One thing to know while getting into a private school in Alabama is that private schools are quite selective.
If you apply to a private school and don’t meet their GPA or test score requirements, you may be denied admission.
Private school admissions look for good grades and standardized test scores, but they also look at other areas such as:
- Extracurricular activities
- Community service projects, and
- Leadership roles.
So you would want to enhance on areas like this before applying for a private school in Alabama.
Learn more: The 4 Best PA Schools In Alabama To Get Into
Why are private schools better than public schools?
There are many people who consider private schools as a better option than public schools while taking their decisions.
Why we feel that private schools are better is because;
- Private schools typically offer smaller class sizes and individualized attention.
- Private schools are often more selective than public ones, which means your kids will have a better chance of getting into one if they apply.
- The high quality of private school education and safer environment makes them among many parents’ top choice for their children.
With so many fantastic private schools to choose from, you should still do research and compare the best public schools in Alabama so you can know which is best for your family.
how much do private schools cost?
According to Private School Review, The average tuition cost for the private schools in Alabama is $7,452 for elementary schools and $7,933 for high schools.
The cheapest private school in Alabama is the Deeper Life Academy with a tuition of $1,850 while the most expensive private school in Alabama is the Indian Spring School with a tuition of $26,500.
And most of the private schools in Alabama are religious, about 76% of them are affiliated with religious bodies.
Learn more: 5 Best Veterinary Schools in Alabama To Get Into
What are the Best Private Schools in Alabama?
Here are some of the top private universities in Alabama to choose from;
- Altamont School private school
- Montgomery Academy private school
- St. Paul’s Episcopal School private school
- Saint James School private school
- Bayside Academy private school
- Westminster School of Oak Mountain private school
- Houston Academy private school
- Madison Baptist Academy private school
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School private school
- Whitesburg Christian Academy private school
- Providence Classical School private school
- St. Luke’s Episcopal School private school
- Shoals Christian School private school
- Springwood School private school
- John Carroll Catholic High School private school
Altamont School
Altamont School is one of the top private schools in Birmingham Alabama and is a college preparatory day school with just about 350 students.
This institution offers classes to pupils in grades 5–12. Altamont School is one of the accredited private schools in Alabama, approved by the SACS.
Students looking for reputable private schools can check it out.
Montgomery Academy
As the name suggests, the Montgomery Academy private school isn’t just one of the most selective private schools in Alabama, it’s also one of few non-profit private schools in Montgomery Alabama.
They offer small class sizes of just about 805 students and the lower school offer classes to kindergarten through fifth grade while the Upper School sixth through twelfth.
If you’re looking for a small, safe environment with plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning and success—Montgomery Academy is it.
St. Paul’s Episcopal School
St. Paul’s Episcopal School is one of the top private schools in Mobile Alabama, with its focus on values-based leadership and social justice.
St. Paul’s Episcopal School ranks among the best private schools in Alabama for both boys and girls with about 1200 students.
As a private, coeducational Christian school, the school teaches the PreK-12 students in Christian practices.
Saint James School
For over 100 years, Saint James School has prided itself on being an educational institution that specializes in educating students from preschool to twelfth grade.
The Saint James school is one of the accredited private schools in Alabama, located in Montgomery, and approved by both the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and Cognia.
Saint James School prides itself on providing a quality education that also prepares its students for college success and/or continued learning beyond graduation.
This school was founded to provide excellence within an atmosphere that is nurturing and unique, with about 882 students.
They believe students deserve special attention because they believe all students can do better than they think they can when challenged in a positive way.
Bayside Academy
Bayside Academy is a college-prep school located in Daphne Alabama, this private K-12 academy has a student size of about 711 students receiving a quality education.
Bayside Academy has been named one of The 50 Most Selective Private Schools in Alabama for years.
Bayside is one of the only NAIS-accredited, co-educational, non-sectarian, independent college preparatory day schools in Alabama.
Westminster School of Oak Mountain
Westminster School of Oak Mountain is a co-educational institution that follows religious teachings and is one of the private schools in Birmingham Alabama.
It was founded in 1999 and has about 563 students in grades K-12. The school also offers AP courses.
The student body makeup is 47 percent male and 53 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 27 percent.
Houston Academy
If you live in Dothan, AL and your child is looking for a private school that will make him or her feel like they’re being taught by a faculty who actually want to be there and care about them individually, Houston Academy is definitely worth checking out.
Houston Academy has been ranked as one of the best private schools in Dothan Alabama, offering small classes of about 679 students.
In addition to small class sizes, Houston Academy also offers a number of resources you can’t find anywhere else—from free tutoring services to free transportation for students who need it.
Madison Baptist Academy
Madison Baptist Academy is one of the highly rated, private Christian schools in Alabama.
Located in MADISON, AL, this institution specializes in early childhood and elementary education with a class size of about 59 students in grades K-12
Students looking for a high school with a strong Christian background may want to consider Madison Baptist Academy, which requires students to take one class each semester that focuses on faith development.
All core courses are taught using a classical model as well as more modern methods like blended learning.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic is one of the top private Catholic schools in Alabama, located in Anniston.
Sacred Heart provides a Catholic education for Grades K – 8 featuring:
- Daily religious instruction
- Prayer, and
- Global awareness
As one of the best private schools in Alabama, the class size is just about 121 students.
Whitesburg Christian Academy
Whitesburg Christian Academy is one of the top private Christian schools in Alabama where students are held to high standards, with a Christian-based curriculum.
Whitesburg Christian Academy is committed to giving its students an excellent education. They have received praise from parents and children who have attended.
It is one of the best private schools in Huntsville AL with about 742 student population, there are also plans to build another campus next year due to increased enrollment numbers.
Providence Classical School
The Providence Classical School is also one of the best private Christian schools in Huntsville Alabama with a student population of less than 200 in grades PK, K-12.
This institution offers a classical education with standards and educational philosophies derived from ancient Greece.
The school was founded on Christian principles by parents who wanted their children to have a solid foundation in academics while also being taught ethical and spiritual lessons.
St. Luke’s Episcopal School
Located just outside of Mobile, St. Luke’s Episcopal School is a coeducational school with a focus on Episcopal values and developing minds.
The school serves around 741 students between its kindergarten and 12th-grade program.
While private, St. Luke’s Episcopal School receives an average of 60% of its budget from governmental sources; private donations are used to supplement that budget.
Shoals Christian School
If you’re looking for the most selective private schools in Alabama, Shoals Christian School should be your top choice.
Shoals is one of the best private Christian schools in Alabama, located in Florence, and has long been one of those elite private schools that lots of people don’t know about.
Springwood School
Springwood School is one of the prestigious private schools in Alabama located in Lanett. The school has a student population of about 250 students in grades PK, K-12.
It has received positive rankings from U.S. News & World Report and is among some of the best schools in Alabama.
It teaches under a traditional academic system, with math, reading, and writing at its core.
John Carroll Catholic High School
John Carroll Catholic High School is one of the most prestigious private Christian schools in Birmingham Alabama and has provided a Catholic liberal arts education.
The high school serves about 600 students in grades 9-12 from Birmingham and across central Alabama.
It offers a rigorous curriculum and accredited teacher instruction with a wide variety of academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities including:
- Football
- Boys’ basketball
- Girls’ volleyball
- Cross country running, etc.
Other Private Schools in Alabama
- Briarwood Christian School
- Westminster Christian Academy
- The Donoho School
- Tuscaloosa Academy
- St. Bernard Preparatory
FAQ on Alabama Private Schools
Are private schools worth it?
This is a difficult question to answer since it depends on your specific situation.
Private schools are not necessarily more expensive than public ones, but some students and families can’t afford to send their children to private school, no matter how much they might want them to get a better education.
If you believe you can afford private schools and want your child to receive a better education, then yes, private schools are worth it.
Why are private schools better than public schools?
The reason that parents want to send their children to private schools is simple: better education.
Public schools in Alabama lack resources, whereas private universities are more often funded through endowments and alumni donations.
This means that teachers have more to work with and can offer better support for students who need it.
In addition, many private universities offer unique programs such as specialized electives or extracurricular activities, that can’t be found elsewhere.
Do private schools pay taxes?
In general, no. Unlike public schools, private schools do not receive government funds.
Because of their nonprofit status, most private schools are exempt from paying taxes on income and property.
This is one reason why private school tuition tends to be higher than that of public universities.
Tuition may vary by institution, and depending on your state or locality you may or may not be able to deduct donations on your taxes, but in general, it’s less affordable than going to a public university.
What are the grants for private schools?
Grants for private schools are available from a variety of sources, but one of the most common is financial aid from the student’s home state.
Contact your state’s college grant office for information about available funds.
Private schools may also offer grants to students on a case-by-case basis, usually through special programs.
Be sure to contact an individual school before enrolling to find out what kind of grants it offers and how they can be applied toward tuition and fees.
What is the Alabam private universities’ acceptance rate?
The average acceptance rate for private schools in Alabama is 90%, the minority enrollment is 25% and the student: teacher ratio is 12:1.
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