15 Best Private Schools in Alabama: A Comprehensive Guide

The competition to get into the best private schools in Alabama is stiff, but with the right preparation and resources, you can make your case as to why you should be one of those lucky few admitted to the private school of your choice.

Whether you’re looking at private universities or some of the best private high schools in Alabama, this guide has all the information you need.

Don’t just wait around; get started on your path today!

Also Check Out: 17 Best Private Schools In Birmingham Alabama To Get Into

Related Rankings: The 12 Best Public Schools in Montgomery Alabama To Get Into

What to consider while choosing a private school?

Educating your child is an important decision that can affect every facet of his or her life.

If you’re considering enrolling your child in a private school, here are some things to consider before you make that final decision

  • School Size
  • Educational Philosophy
  • Extracurricular Opportunities
  • Academic Support
  • Religion and Values
  • Campus Culture
  • Cost and Financial Aid.

Are private Schools Worth it?

Private schools are really worth it, while private school tuition is often much higher than public schools, they can offer some advantages.

In fact, a recent report shows that students who attend private schools are more likely to graduate high school and go on to college.

Do Private Schools Pay Taxes?

Because private schools are tax-exempt, they do not pay taxes on property or other income.

As a result, taxpayers have to make up for that loss by paying higher rates themselves.

The school pays for itself through charitable donations and tuition.

If you’re considering putting your child into a private school, consider how it will affect your own taxes as well as how it might affect your community at large.

Learn More: 

List of the best Alabama Private Universities

  • Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School
  • Shoals Christian School
  • Springwood School
  • John Carroll Catholic High School
  • Briarwood Christian School
  • Westminster Christian Academy
  • The Donoho School
  • Tuscaloosa Academy
  • St. Bernard Preparatory School
  • UMS-Wright Preparatory School
  • Randolph 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
  • Whitesburg Christian Academy private school
  • Providence Classical School private school
  • St. Luke’s Episcopal School private school

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School

As the name rightly suggests, the Sacred Heart Of Jesus Catholic School is one of the top private Catholic schools in Alabama, located in Anniston.

This institution provides classes for students from pre-K through 12th grade.

It’s also a member of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Birmingham which recognizes schools that have shown outstanding performance on standardized tests, as well as those with top-notch college preparatory and alumni programs.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School is accredited by both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

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Shoals Christian School

The Shoals is the next on our list, it is one of the best private Christian schools in Alabama, located in Florence.

The Shoals Christian School offers students a comprehensive academic program with top-notch facilities and opportunities.

Families looking for excellent teaching and a great atmosphere need look no further than Shoals Christian School.

It has an impressive campus with great facilities, highly selective admission policies, and ample extracurricular opportunities.

Students at all grade levels are thriving, including those who take part in one of the many talented AP programs available at Shoals Christian School.

If you want your child to get an excellent education outside of public schools, you should consider Shoals Christian School.

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Springwood School

Springwood School is one of the best private schools in Alabama, located in Lanett. The school serves students in K4-12th grade.

Established in 1970, Springwood School has a small class size of about 270 students with a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1, and Tuition is $40,000 for the highest grade offered.

After graduation, 80% of students from this school go on to attend a 4-year college. It also makes our list as an accredited college prep school and an Episcopal church-affiliated school.

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John Carroll Catholic High School

Located in Birmingham, John Carroll Catholic High School is a private, coeducational school that offers boarding and day options.

The school has a great reputation for athletic success, winning more than 80 state championships and bringing home more than 40 national titles.

John Carroll’s curriculum focuses on preparing students for college with Advanced Placement courses available to AP Capstone.

The school also has a chapter of the National Honor Society and a student council association that promotes social change efforts like food drives and community service projects.

All these traits make John Carroll Catholic High School one of the best private Catholic schools in Alabama.

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Briarwood Christian School

Though it’s a bit far from some of Alabama’s biggest cities, Briarwood Christian School is likely to be worth every mile.

This institution provides excellence in education in a Christ-centered environment.

It’s a K-12 private school with about 1850 students and was founded by Briarwood Presbyterian Church in 1965 as a segregation academy, and students come from all over to attend classes here.

The focus at Briarwood Christian School is on college prep, and sports are offered as well. Briarwood Christian School is one of the best private Christian schools in Birmingham, Alabama.

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Westminster Christian Academy

Westminster Christian Academy is one of the top Christian private schools in Alabama located in Huntsville and Madison, that was founded with an educational philosophy that is based on Christian principles.

This institution serves students from K3-12 and has the mission to educate students from Christian families.

With a focus on education, work ethic, and character-building, WCA has been highly ranked over its years of existence as a leading private school in Alabama.

Their graduates have achieved high levels of success while attending college, as well as great life accomplishments through service programs.

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The Donoho School

Donoho School is one of the notable private schools in Anniston Alabama that offers classes to students in grades PK through 12.

Students at Donoho excel academically thanks to small class sizes of about 350 pupils and highly qualified teachers with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.

In 2005, the school was honored by the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, and there are diverse clubs and activities available at Donoho for students who want to get involved outside of class.

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Tuscaloosa Academy

Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Tuscaloosa Academy is a private school with co-ed classes from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The average class size at Tuscaloosa Academy is just about 460 students.

In addition to small classes, students can choose from a variety of extra-curricular activities such as choir, theater, and debate.

If you’re looking for an accredited private school in Alabama with small class sizes and numerous extra-curricular opportunities, then look no further than Tuscaloosa Academy.

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St. Bernard Preparatory School

St. Bernard is one of the most distinguished private Catholic schools in Alabama, founded in 1891, it is a coeducational day and boarding (7-12) school serving over 120 students in the United States.

There is a highly competitive exam process to get into St. Bernard Preparatory School; admission is based on both standardized test scores and an essay.

It is run independently of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama by the Benedictine monks of St. Bernard Abbey, located on the same campus.

If you are looking for private schools in Alabama that have great college preparedness programs, consider St. Bernard Preparatory School.

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UMS-Wright Preparatory School

UMS-Wright is one of the best private universities in Alabama founded in 1893 as the University Military School, and in 1988 it combined with Julius T Wright School for Girls to form UMS-Wright Preparatory School.

It is an independent co-educational preparatory private school in Mobile Alabama that strives to provide education as an equalizer.

The student size is about 1,150 and the school serves students in grades PK, 1-12.

UMS-Wright Preparatory School works to cultivate young minds and provide them with a diverse learning environment.

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Randolph School

For more than two decades, Randolph School has been helping develop students for their future. The school offers a holistic education that aims to unlock each child’s unique potential.

Founded in 1959, Randolph School is one of the best private elementary schools in Alabam located in Huntsville. It is the area’s only independent, college preparatory school for students in grades K-12.

It started in a home on Randolph Avenue in downtown Huntsville with a handful of elementary classes and is today one of the top-rated private schools in Alabama with about 920 students size with a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1.

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FAQs on Private Schools

How much does private school cost in Alabama?

The tuition to attend a private high school varies wildly depending on which school you choose, but most range from $5,000 to $30,000 per year.

The average cost of tuition for the private schools in Alabama as of 2022 is $7,500 per year.

How many private schools are in Alabama?

Alabam is home to many private schools, there are well about 450 private schools in Alabama, and about 78% of them are religiously affiliated.

The best and number one private school in Alabama is the Montgomery Academy, according to reviews from students.

Learn More: 12 Best Public Schools in Montgomery Alabama To Get Into

Should the government fund private schools?

Whether private schools should be funded by the government is a debate that has been going on for years.

Some say it interferes with religious freedom and that government funding could provide financial incentive to discriminate against certain groups of people, but others argue that everyone should have equal access to education.

The decision really boils down to one’s perspective on what role government plays in our society.

According to Study.com, Private schools do not receive federal funding, so they have to get their funds from tuition, endowments, fundraisers, or other sources.

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