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Average

#178 of 206 private schools in AL

Banks Academy

High School

8301 8TH AVE S, Birmingham, AL 35206

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 58 schools in Birmingham. Learn more

Enrollment

71

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Birmingham

#28 of 31

public schools

Alabama high schools

#16 of 17

About Banks Academy

Banks Academy serves 71 students in grades 9-12 in Birmingham, Alabama, offering an intimate educational environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1. This small public high school maintains a close-knit atmosphere with just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-teacher relationships. The school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10, reflecting strong performance metrics, though it ranks #125 out of 206 Alabama high schools, placing it in the 40th percentile statewide.

This ranking suggests the school is performing at a solid middle tier among Alabama's public high schools. Banks Academy is situated in the 35206 zip code area, a community with a median household income of $38,671 and a median home value of $110,700. The neighborhood serves a population of 16,477 residents, with 16% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 28.9%, indicating a working-class community with diverse economic backgrounds.

The school's small size creates opportunities for students to participate in multiple activities and receive individualized support from faculty. Banks Academy operates within Birmingham's mid-size city environment, providing students access to urban resources while maintaining the benefits of a smaller school community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 71 students, Banks Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Banks Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Banks Academy compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in Birmingham, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
This School
vs
21:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
71
This School
vs
712
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.1
This School
vs
5.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Black 98.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.4% vs 0%
Banks Academy Birmingham Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Banks Academy (this school) 5.1
Woodlawn High SchoolMagnet 3.6
Huffman High SchoolMagnet 4.2
Fultondale High School 5.8
George Washington Carver High School 4.6
BCS Virtual Academy of Learning
Ramsay High School 6.6
Jefferson County Virtual School 4.0
Parker High School 3.3
Magic City Acceptance Academy 8.0
JacksonOlin High School 4.6
Wenonah High School 4.8
Oak Mountain High School 6.4

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 4.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,383.2
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 2.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 3%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.9 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 71
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Black 98.6%
Hispanic 1.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

8301 8TH AVE S, Birmingham, AL 35206

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Banks Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CORNERSTONE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HIGDON HILL SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shades Valley High School (rated 6.3/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Irondale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham 0.0 mi 4.8
Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School Birmingham 0.5 mi 5.1
Robinson Elementary School Birmingham 0.8 mi 6.6
i3 Academy Phase 2 Birmingham 1.0 mi 4.8
TRINITY OUTREACH MINISTRIES Birmingham 1.2 mi
Barrett Elementary School Birmingham 1.1 mi 6.2
Christian School Birmingham 1.5 mi 7.5
HIGDON HILL SCHOOL Birmingham 1.6 mi 6.6
Martha Gaskins K5 Birmingham 2.0 mi 5.2
Irondale Community School Irondale 2.1 mi 5.2
MARANATHAN ACADEMY Birmingham 2.0 mi
Huffman Middle School Birmingham 2.3 mi 3.9
INTEGRITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Birmingham 2.4 mi
Oliver K5 School Birmingham 2.3 mi 8.9
WE Putnam Middle SchoolMagnet Irondale 2.6 mi 6.5
CORNERSTONE HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham 2.9 mi 7.0
ALABAMA WALDORF SCHOOL Birmingham 2.9 mi 8.3
RISING HOPE ACADEMY Birmingham 3.1 mi 7.8
Smith Middle School Birmingham 3.2 mi 4.0
Shades Valley High School Irondale 2.9 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$39,051

Median Home Value

$122,500

Median Rent

$990/mo

Population

15,031

College Educated

19.2%

Homeownership

47.5%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

24.8%

Median Age

43.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Banks Academy has a median household income of $39,051. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $122,500, with a median rent of $990/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham, AL 4.8
Inspire Virtual Academy Lafayette, AL 4.6
BUILD UP Birmingham, AL 6.2
BUILD UP COMMUNITY SCHOOL Birmingham, AL 6.2
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY Birmingham, AL 6.2
LYMAN WARD MILITARY ACADEMY Camp Hill, AL 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Banks Academy

What grades does Banks Academy serve?

Banks Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Banks Academy?

Banks Academy has an enrollment of approximately 71 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Banks Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Banks Academy is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Banks Academy rank in AL?

Banks Academy is ranked #178 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Banks Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Banks Academy has a composite rating of 5.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Banks Academy a private school?

Yes, Banks Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Banks Academy a religious school?

Banks Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (5,331/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Birmingham). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
71
Gender Split
70% M / 30% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7.6 hours
Days Per Year
182 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
JEFFERSON
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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