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Average

#117 of 206 private schools in AL

Build Up

High School

222 6TH AVE SW, Birmingham, AL 35211

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

46

Student-Teacher

6.6:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Birmingham

#21 of 31

public schools

Alabama high schools

#12 of 17

About Build Up

BUILD UP is a small public high school serving grades 9-12 in Birmingham, Alabama, with just 46 students creating an intimate learning environment. With only 7 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.6:1, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction that larger schools simply cannot provide. The school earned a strong 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #105 out of 206 high schools statewide, placing it in the 50th percentile among Alabama schools.

This solid performance demonstrates the school's commitment to student success despite its small size. Located at 222 6th Avenue SW in Birmingham's 35211 ZIP code, BUILD UP serves a diverse community where the median household income is $32,677 and the median home value is $89,100. The surrounding neighborhood has a college graduation rate of 21% and faces economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 35.6% among its 24,795 residents.

For families seeking a close-knit educational environment where every student can receive individual attention and support, BUILD UP offers the advantages of small-school learning in Birmingham's urban setting. The school operates within Jefferson County and provides high school students with a uniquely personalized educational experience in Alabama's largest city.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 46 students, Build Up 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.6:1, Build Up offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Build Up 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$25,067
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$28,916
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.15x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
44%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$503,117

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 46 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Build Up compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in Birmingham, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.6:1
This School
vs
21:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
46
This School
vs
712
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.2
This School
vs
5.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

Black 100% vs 0%
Build Up Birmingham Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Build Up (this school) 6.2
JacksonOlin High School 4.6
Wenonah High School 4.8
Parker High School 3.3
Magic City Acceptance Academy 8.0
George Washington Carver High School 4.6
BCS Virtual Academy of Learning
Ramsay High School 6.6
Jefferson County Virtual School 4.0
Woodlawn High SchoolMagnet 3.6
Fultondale High School 5.8
Oak Mountain High School 6.4
Huffman High SchoolMagnet 4.2

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)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.6:1
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 8.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,377
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 1.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 0%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 46
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 100.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

222 6TH AVE SW, Birmingham, AL 35211

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Build Up may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fairfield High Preparatory School (rated 4.8/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Fairfield), a more accessible option. Additionally, JacksonOlin High School (rated 4.6/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
JacksonOlin High School Birmingham 0.8 mi 4.6
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC ACADEMY Birmingham 1.0 mi 6.3
Minor Elementary School Birmingham 1.0 mi 7.4
Wylam Elementary School Birmingham 1.0 mi 7.1
C J Donald Middle School Fairfield 1.4 mi 3.5
Fairfield High Preparatory School Fairfield 1.4 mi 4.8
Charles A Brown Elementary School Birmingham 1.7 mi 7.9
RESTORATION ACADEMY Fairfield 1.5 mi 6.5
Central Park Elementary School Birmingham 1.9 mi 7.3
South Hampton K8 Birmingham 2.3 mi 8.3
Bush Hills STEAM Academy Birmingham 2.0 mi 5.2
Robinson Primary School Fairfield 2.4 mi 6.8
Green Acres Middle School Birmingham 2.7 mi 5.2
Princeton School Birmingham 2.3 mi 7.6
West End Academy Birmingham 2.5 mi 6.7
Richard Arrington Elementary Birmingham 2.9 mi 7.5
MT PILGRIM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fairfield 3.1 mi 4.7
Minor Community School Birmingham 3.1 mi 5.8
ROCK CITY PREPARATORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Birmingham 3.3 mi
Jones Valley Middle School Birmingham 3.3 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35211 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,286

Median Home Value

$94,500

Median Rent

$1,044/mo

Population

25,267

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

40.3%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

33.8%

Median Age

35.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Build Up has a median household income of $34,286. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $94,500, with a median rent of $1,044/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
BUILD UP COMMUNITY SCHOOL Birmingham, AL 6.2
HIGDON HILL SCHOOL Birmingham, AL 6.6
Evening Educational Options Mobile, AL 5.6
ST CLAIR COUNTY DAY PROGRAM INC Ashville, AL 7.5
COLUMBUS GIRLS ACADEMY Seale, AL 7.6
Decatur High Developmental Decatur, AL 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Build Up

What grades does Build Up serve?

Build Up serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Build Up?

Build Up has an enrollment of approximately 46 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Build Up?

The student-teacher ratio at Build Up is 6.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Build Up rank in AL?

Build Up is ranked #117 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Build Up's MySchoolScout rating?

Build Up has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Build Up a private school?

Yes, Build Up is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Build Up a religious school?

No, Build Up is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

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
46
Gender Split
72% M / 28% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
8.5 hours
Days Per Year
162 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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