Best private high schools in Alabama

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a ’96 commencement address at Wellesley College, “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” If that’s the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It’s a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Alabama using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.

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#30. Lee-Scott Academy

– Location: Auburn, AL
– Enrollment: 759 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#29. Whitesburg Christian Academy

– Location: Huntsville, AL
– Enrollment: 892 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#28. Hoover Christian School

– Location: Hoover, AL
– Enrollment: 43 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#27. Tuscaloosa Academy

– Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
– Enrollment: 455 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#26. The Westminster School at Oak Mountain

– Location: Birmingham, AL
– Enrollment: 563 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#25. Trinity Presbyterian School

– Location: Montgomery, AL
– Enrollment: 604 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#24. Springwood School

– Location: Lanett, AL
– Enrollment: 255 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#23. Houston Academy

– Location: Dothan, AL
– Enrollment: 714 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#22. McGill-Toolen Catholic High School

– Location: Mobile, AL
– Enrollment: 961 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#21. Alabama Christian Academy

– Location: Montgomery, AL
– Enrollment: 746 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#20. Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School

– Location: Montgomery, AL
– Enrollment: 757 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#19. Southern Preparatory Academy

– Location: Camp Hill, AL
– Enrollment: 130 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#18. The Donoho School

– Location: Anniston, AL
– Enrollment: 341 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#17. Bayside Academy

– Location: Daphne, AL
– Enrollment: 711 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#16. St. Bernard Preparatory School

– Location: Cullman, AL
– Enrollment: 130 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#15. Madison Baptist Academy

– Location: Madison, AL
– Enrollment: 55 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#14. Briarwood Christian School

– Location: Birmingham, AL
– Enrollment: 1,850 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#13. Mountain View Baptist School

– Location: Birmingham, AL
– Enrollment: 110 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#12. Madison Academy

– Location: Madison, AL
– Enrollment: 882 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#11. Westminster Christian Academy

– Location: Huntsville, AL
– Enrollment: 930 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#10. UMS-Wright Preparatory School

– Location: Mobile, AL
– Enrollment: 1,241 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#9. The Capitol School

– Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
– Enrollment: 242 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#8. St. Paul’s Episcopal School

– Location: Mobile, AL
– Enrollment: 1,213 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#7. Saint James School

– Location: Montgomery, AL
– Enrollment: 882 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

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#6. The Montgomery Academy

– Location: Montgomery, AL
– Enrollment: 805 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

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#5. St. John Paul II Catholic High School

– Location: Huntsville, AL
– Enrollment: 358 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

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#4. Randolph School

– Location: Huntsville, AL
– Enrollment: 974 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

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#3. Providence Christian School

– Location: Dothan, AL
– Enrollment: 626 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

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#2. The Altamont School

– Location: Birmingham, AL
– Enrollment: 389 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

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#1. Indian Springs School

– Location: Indian Springs, AL
– Enrollment: 330 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.