Best Jefferson County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 181 public schools serving 98,144 students in Jefferson County, AL (there are 98 private schools, serving 15,378 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Jefferson County, AL are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, AL are Crestline Elementary School, Cherokee Bend Elementary School and Vestavia Hills Elementary East. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Jefferson County, AL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Alabama public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Jefferson County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Alabama public schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public school average of 50% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Jefferson County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Crestline Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
3785 Jackson Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 871-8126
Gr: PK-6 | 743 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Cherokee Bend Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4400 Fair Oaks Dr
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 871-3595
Gr: PK-6 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Vestavia Hills Elementary East
(Math: 76% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2109 Tyson Dr
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 402-5200
Gr: PK-5 | 771 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
Brookwood Forest Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
3701 S Brookwood Rd
Birmingham, AL 35223
(205) 414-3700
Gr: PK-6 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge
(Math: 73% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2680 Gresham Drive
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 402-5325
Gr: K-5 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #66.
Mountain Brook Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3020 Cambridge Rd
Birmingham, AL 35223
(205) 871-8191
Gr: PK-6 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #77.
Deer Valley Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4990 Ross Bridge Parkway
Birmingham, AL 35226
(205) 439-3300
Gr: PK-5 | 735 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #88.
Edgewood Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
901 College Ave
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 423-2400
Gr: K-5 | 935 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #99.
Pizitz Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2826 Columbiana Road
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 402-5350
Gr: 6-8 | 1,131 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1010.
Cahaba Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
301 Parkway Drive
Trussville, AL 35173
(205) 228-3400
Gr: K-5 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1111.
Magnolia Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5400 Hidden Way Lane
Trussville, AL 35173
(205) 228-3500
Gr: K-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1212.
Vestavia Hills Elementary West
(Math: 71% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1965 Merryvale Rd
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 402-5151
Gr: K-5 | 691 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1313.
Bluff Park Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
569 Park Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35226
(205) 439-2800
Gr: K-5 | 658 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1414.
Mountain Brook Junior High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
205 Overbrook Dr
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 871-3516
Gr: 7-9 | 1,005 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1515.
Paine Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7600 Gadsden Highway
Trussville, AL 35173
(205) 228-3200
Gr: PK-5 | 1,338 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1616.
Brocks Gap Intermediate School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1730 Lake Cyrus Club Drive
Birmingham, AL 35244
(205) 439-1600
Gr: 2-5 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1717.
Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
805 7th Ave
Pleasant Grove, AL 35127
(205) 379-5280
Gr: 6-8 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1818.
Shades Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2250 Sumpter St
Birmingham, AL 35226
(205) 439-3100
Gr: K-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1919.
Shades Cahaba Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3001 Independence Drive
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 871-1113
Gr: K-5 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2020.
Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4401 Dolly Ridge Road
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 402-5480
Gr: PK-5 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2121.
Mountain Brook High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3650 Bethune Dr
Birmingham, AL 35223
(205) 414-3800
Gr: 10-12 | 985 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #2222.
Riverchase Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1950 Old Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, AL 35244
(205) 439-3400
Gr: K-5 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2323.
Robert F Bumpus Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6055 Flemming Parkway
Birmingham, AL 35244
(205) 439-2200
Gr: 6-8 | 1,192 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2424.
Homewood Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
395 Mecca Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 870-0878
Gr: 6-8 | 1,000 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2525.
Vestavia Hills High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2235 Lime Rock Rd
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 402-5250
Gr: 10-12 | 1,625 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2626.
Hall Kent Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
213 Hall Ave
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 423-2430
Gr: PK-5 | 717 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2727.
Rocky Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2876 Old Rocky Ridge Rd
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 439-2900
Gr: PK-5 | 577 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2828.
Homewood High School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1901 S Lakeshore Dr
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 871-9663
Gr: 9-12 | 1,333 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Bryan Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
600 Kimberly Cut Off Rd
Morris, AL 35116
(205) 379-2750
Gr: PK-5 | 697 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Trace Crossings Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5454 Learning Lane
Birmingham, AL 35244
(205) 439-2700
Gr: PK-5 | 769 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #3131.
Gwin Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1580 Patton Chapel Road
Birmingham, AL 35226
(205) 439-2600
Gr: PK-5 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #3232.
Hewitttrussville Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5275 Trussville Clay Road
Trussville, AL 35173
(205) 228-3700
Gr: 6-8 | 1,163 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #3333.
Phillips Academy
(Math: 49% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2316 7th Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 231-9500
Gr: PK-8 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3434.
Hewitttrussville High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6450 Husky Parkway
Trussville, AL 35173
(205) 228-4000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,571 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #3535.
Epic Alternative Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1000 10th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35205
(205) 231-7370
Gr: PK-5 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Show 100 more public schools in Jefferson County, AL (out of 181 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, AL?
The top-ranked public schools in Jefferson County, AL include Crestline Elementary School, Cherokee Bend Elementary School and Vestavia Hills Elementary East.
How many public schools are located in Jefferson County?
175 public schools are located in Jefferson County.
What percentage of students in Jefferson County go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Jefferson County are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Jefferson County?
Jefferson County public schools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public schools average of 50% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Jefferson County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links


Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 75

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 82

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 88

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 94

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 100

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 106

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 112

Notice: Undefined property: MultipleSchoolsModel::$total in /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/include/srn_lib/psr/view/RegionQuickLinksView.inc.php on line 123

Notice: Javascript file does not exist: /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/javascript/components/popper.min.js in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242

Notice: Javascript file does not exist: /home/devsarath/workspace/psr/public_html/javascript/components/tippy.min.js in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242

Notice: Directory does not exist in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242

Notice: Unable to save compiled js file in /home/devsarath/workspace/shared/misc/JSCompiler.inc.php on line 242