Below Average
#185 of 206 private schools in AL
Banks Academy
High School
8301 8TH AVE S, Birmingham, AL 35206
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 58 schools in Birmingham. Learn more
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Birmingham
#29 of 31
public schools
Alabama high schools
#17 of 17
About Banks Academy
Banks Academy serves 75 high school students in grades 9 through 12 in Birmingham, Alabama. This small public school maintains an intimate learning environment with just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1 that allows for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school's compact size fosters a tight-knit community where students can receive individualized support as they work toward graduation.
With its small enrollment, Banks Academy offers an alternative to larger traditional high schools, providing opportunities for students to take on leadership roles and participate actively in school activities. Banks Academy holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10, though it ranks #165 out of 206 high schools statewide, placing it in the 20th percentile among Alabama schools. The school serves students with room for academic growth as they prepare for their post-secondary futures.
The school is situated in Birmingham's 35206 zip code area, a community where the median household income is $38,671 and median home value is $110,700. About 16% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the school serves families across various economic backgrounds. Banks Academy operates within Birmingham's mid-size city environment, providing students access to urban resources and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 75 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
BetaHow Banks Academy compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in Birmingham, AL
Student Demographics
Nearby High Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Banks Academy (this school) | 4.8 |
| 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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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 | 5.1 |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Inspire Virtual Academy Lafayette, AL | 4.6 |
| BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham, AL | 5.1 |
| BUILD UP Birmingham, AL | 6.2 |
| BUILD UP COMMUNITY SCHOOL Birmingham, AL | 6.2 |
| SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY Birmingham, AL | 6.2 |
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 75 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Banks Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Banks Academy is 12.5:1. 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 #185 out of 206 private schools in AL.
What is Banks Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Banks Academy has a composite rating of 4.8 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 75
- Gender Split
- 72% M / 28% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 7.6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- JEFFERSON
- Phone
- (205) 834-5433
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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