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Average

#89 of 206 private schools in AL

Top 43% of private schools

Higdon Hill School

High School

6869-5TH AVE SO., Birmingham, AL 35212

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

57

Student-Teacher

8.1:1

Score

6.6

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Birmingham

#18 of 31

public schools

Alabama high schools

#8 of 17

About Higdon Hill School

Higdon Hill School serves 57 students in grades 7-12 in Birmingham, Alabama, offering an intimate educational environment with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 8.1:1. With only seven full-time equivalent teachers, this small high school provides highly personalized attention that allows educators to know each student individually and tailor instruction to their specific needs. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10 and ranks 100th out of 206 schools statewide, placing it in the 52nd percentile among Alabama schools.

This solid performance reflects the benefits of its small-scale approach to education, where students can build meaningful relationships with both teachers and peers. Located at 6869 5th Avenue South, Higdon Hill School sits in the heart of a diverse Birmingham neighborhood with a population of 10,136 residents. The surrounding ZIP code 35212 represents a community where 34% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median home value is $183,000.

While the area faces economic challenges with a median household income of $28,216 and a poverty rate of 42.1%, the school provides stability and opportunity for local families seeking quality education in a close-knit setting within Birmingham's mid-size city environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 57 students, Higdon Hill School 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 8.1:1, Higdon Hill School 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, Higdon Hill School 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 Higdon Hill School compares to 28 public schools serving similar grades in Birmingham, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.1:1
This School
vs
20.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
57
This School
vs
591
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.6
This School
vs
5.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 59.6% vs 0%
Black 35.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 5.3% vs 0%
Higdon Hill School Birmingham Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
Higdon Hill School (this school) 6.6
i3 Academy Phase 2 4.8
Woodlawn High SchoolMagnet 3.6
Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School 5.1
Hayes K8 7.4
Inglenook School 6.9
Christian School 7.5
Huffman Middle School 3.9
Hudson KEight School 6.5
Smith Middle School 4.0
Phillips Academy 6.8
Huffman High SchoolMagnet 4.2
Ramsay High School 6.6
Jefferson County Virtual School 4.0
George Washington Carver High School 4.6
BCS Virtual Academy of Learning
Fultondale High School 5.8
Parker High School 3.3
Wilkerson Middle School 3.1
Washington K8 7.1
Magic City Acceptance Academy 8.0

Showing 20 of 28 schools. View all schools in Birmingham

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- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C 2.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,110
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 52%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 57
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)

White 59.6%
Black 35.1%
Hispanic 5.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

6869-5TH AVE SO., Birmingham, AL 35212

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Higdon Hill School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BANKS ACADEMY (rated 5.1/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is BANKS ACADEMY (rated 4.8/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Woodlawn High SchoolMagnet (rated 3.6/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
MARANATHAN ACADEMY Birmingham 0.5 mi
Barrett Elementary School Birmingham 0.8 mi 6.2
Oliver K5 School Birmingham 0.8 mi 8.9
i3 Academy Phase 2 Birmingham 1.1 mi 4.8
ALABAMA WALDORF SCHOOL Birmingham 1.4 mi 8.3
Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School Birmingham 1.4 mi 5.1
Woodlawn High SchoolMagnet Birmingham 1.3 mi 3.6
Irondale Community School Irondale 1.5 mi 5.2
CORNERSTONE SCHOOLS OF ALABAMA Birmingham 1.5 mi 5.4
BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham 1.6 mi 5.1
BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham 1.6 mi 4.8
Robinson Elementary School Birmingham 1.8 mi 6.6
WE Putnam Middle SchoolMagnet Irondale 1.7 mi 6.5
RISING HOPE ACADEMY Birmingham 1.9 mi 7.8
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Birmingham 2.3 mi 8.3
i3 Academy Phase 1 Birmingham 2.1 mi 6.9
TRINITY OUTREACH MINISTRIES Birmingham 2.6 mi
Cherokee Bend Elementary School Mountain Brk 2.8 mi 8.1
NEW DAY CHURCH OF FAITH MINISTRIES Gardendale 2.4 mi
NE MILES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Birmingham 2.9 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35212 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,565

Median Home Value

$210,400

Median Rent

$754/mo

Population

10,059

College Educated

32.8%

Homeownership

40.5%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

40.4%

Median Age

33.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Higdon Hill School has a median household income of $34,565. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,400, with a median rent of $754/month. The area has a poverty rate of 40.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 Birmingham, AL 6.2
BUILD UP COMMUNITY SCHOOL Birmingham, AL 6.2
COLUMBUS GIRLS ACADEMY Seale, AL 7.6
Evening Educational Options Mobile, AL 5.6
Decatur High Developmental Decatur, AL 7.7
BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham, AL 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Higdon Hill School

What grades does Higdon Hill School serve?

Higdon Hill School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Higdon Hill School?

Higdon Hill School has an enrollment of approximately 57 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Higdon Hill School?

The student-teacher ratio at Higdon Hill School is 8.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Higdon Hill School rank in AL?

Higdon Hill School is ranked #89 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Higdon Hill School's MySchoolScout rating?

Higdon Hill School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Higdon Hill School a private school?

Yes, Higdon Hill School 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 Higdon Hill School a religious school?

No, Higdon Hill School 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
7th – 12th
Enrollment
57
Gender Split
30% M / 70% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6 hours
Days Per Year
185 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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