Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Birmingham City

Alabama · Public School District
48
Schools
20,843
Students
$15,867
Per-Pupil Spend
+11% nat'l
82.4%
Free Lunch Rate
+30pp vs nat'l
83.2%
Graduation Rate
-3.3pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Birmingham City is a public school district in Alabama serving 20,843 students across 48 schools. It includes 29 elementary, 9 middle, 9 high schools. Its graduation rate of 83.2% is below the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $15,867 is above average for a US public school district. 82% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 33/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (48)
Elementary Schools29 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Avondale Elementary SchoolPK–05328
Barrett Elementary SchoolPK–05405
Central Park Elementary SchoolPK–05447
Charles A Brown Elementary SchoolPK–05307
Christian SchoolPK–08633
Engle Day Treatment01–070
EPIC Alternative Elementary SchoolPK–05291
Glen Iris Elementary SchoolPK–05731
Hayes K8PK–08658
Hemphill Elementary SchoolPK–05336
Homebound Elementary SchoolPK–060
Hudson KEight SchoolPK–08633
Huffman AcademyPK–05735
Inglenook SchoolPK–08333
Martha Gaskins K5PK–05509
Minor Elementary SchoolPK–05454
Norwood Elementary SchoolPK–05249
Oliver K5 SchoolPK–05389
Oxmoor K5PK–05478
Phillips AcademyPK–08654
Princeton SchoolPK–05203
Richard Arrington ElementaryPK–05374
Robinson Elementary SchoolPK–05344
South Hampton K8PK–08513
Sun Valley Elementary SchoolPK–05611
Tuggle Elementary SchoolPK–05470
Washington K8PK–08567
West End AcademyPK–05503
Wylam Elementary SchoolPK–05371
Other School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
Adolescent Day TreatmentKG–120
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$15,867+11% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
44%
33%
State
43.8%
Local (property tax)
33.0%
Federal
23.2%

Funding is shared between state (44%) and local sources (33%), with notable federal support (23%).

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
48
Schools
20,843
Students
82%
Free Lunch
$16K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate83.2%
Opportunity Score33/100
StateAlabama →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 48 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
82% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Low opportunity scores
Median opportunity score of 33/100, below the national median of 50, which can correlate with weaker long-term economic mobility for students.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
23% of revenue comes from federal sources. High federal reliance typically signals a limited local tax base or high concentration of low-income families.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Birmingham City?
Birmingham City has 48 public schools, serving a total of 20,843 students.
What is the graduation rate for Birmingham City?
The graduation rate is 83.2%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Birmingham City spend per student?
Birmingham City spends $15,867 per pupil — 11% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Birmingham City?
82% of students in Birmingham City qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Birmingham City?
No, Birmingham City does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Birmingham City serve?
Birmingham City serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Birmingham City?
The median opportunity score across schools in Birmingham City is 33/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.