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Below Average

#185 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

75

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

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

Beta

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

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
This School
vs
21:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
75
This School
vs
712
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.8
This School
vs
5.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Black 98.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.3% vs 0%
Banks Academy Birmingham Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,368
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 2.5 / 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- 5.1 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 75
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 98.7%
Hispanic 1.3%

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.

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
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
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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