Excellent
#6 of 206 private schools in AL
Top 2% of private schools
Highlands School
Elementary School
4901 OLD LEEDS RD, Birmingham, AL 35213
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 58 schools in Birmingham. Learn more
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher
4.6:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher
4.6:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Birmingham
#2 of 31
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#4 of 65
About Highlands School
Highlands School serves 290 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Birmingham's affluent 35213 ZIP code area. This regular public elementary school boasts an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 4.6 to 1, with 64 full-time equivalent teachers providing personalized attention to each child. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 9.4 out of 10, reflecting its commitment to educational excellence.
While ranked #126 out of 206 schools statewide, placing it in the 39th percentile among Alabama schools, Highlands School serves a community with remarkable educational values and resources. The surrounding neighborhood demonstrates a strong commitment to education, with 87% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Families in this area enjoy a median household income of $137,879 and median home values of $664,500, creating a stable, academically-focused environment.
The community's extremely low poverty rate of 3.2% reflects the economic stability that often supports educational achievement. With its small class sizes and dedicated teaching staff, Highlands School provides an intimate learning environment where students can receive individual attention as they progress through their foundational academic years. The school is situated in Birmingham's large suburban setting, serving one of the area's most educated and prosperous communities.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 4.6:1, Highlands 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, Highlands 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
BetaHow Highlands School compares to 53 public schools serving similar grades in Birmingham, AL
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Highlands School (this school) | 8.5 |
| Oliver K5 School | 8.9 |
| Grantswood Community School | 7.8 |
| Barrett Elementary School | 6.2 |
| Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School | 5.1 |
| i3 Academy Phase 2 | 4.8 |
| i3 Academy Phase 1 | 6.9 |
| Avondale Elementary School | 7.6 |
| Hayes K8 | 7.4 |
| Robinson Elementary School | 6.6 |
| Christian School | 7.5 |
| Jefferson County Virtual School | 4.0 |
| Martha Gaskins K5 | 5.2 |
| Huffman Middle School | 3.9 |
| Inglenook School | 6.9 |
| Phillips Academy | 6.8 |
| Norwood Elementary School | 6.7 |
| Glen Iris Elementary School | 5.5 |
| EPIC Alternative Elementary School | 7.3 |
| Hudson KEight School | 6.5 |
| Smith Middle School | 4.0 |
Showing 20 of 53 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.
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
4901 OLD LEEDS RD, Birmingham, AL 35213
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Crestline Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Mountain Brk), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Oliver K5 School (rated 8.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park (rated 8.4/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Vestavia), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Birmingham, see our Birmingham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Bend Elementary School Mountain Brk | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| WE Putnam Middle SchoolMagnet Irondale | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Irondale Community School Irondale | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Mountain Brook High School Mountain Brk | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| RISING HOPE ACADEMY Birmingham | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Brookwood Forest Elementary School Mountain Brk | 2.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Oliver K5 School Birmingham | 2.4 mi | 8.9 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Birmingham | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
| ALABAMA WALDORF SCHOOL Birmingham | 2.4 mi | 8.3 |
| HIGDON HILL SCHOOL Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Liberty Park Middle School Vestavia | 2.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Shades Valley High School Irondale | 2.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park Vestavia | 3.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Irondale Middle School Irondale | 3.1 mi | 5.0 |
| NE MILES JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Birmingham | 2.9 mi | 7.4 |
| MARANATHAN ACADEMY Birmingham | 3.3 mi | — |
| Crestline Elementary School Mountain Brk | 3.0 mi | 9.2 |
| Grantswood Community School Birmingham | 3.1 mi | 7.8 |
| BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham | 3.6 mi | 5.1 |
| BANKS ACADEMY Birmingham | 3.6 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35213 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$161,902
Median Home Value
$753,400
Median Rent
$1,749/mo
Population
15,950
College Educated
88.8%
Homeownership
78.5%
Avg Commute
18.2 min
Poverty Rate
2%
Median Age
36.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands School has a median household income of $161,902. It is a well-educated community where 89% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $753,400, with a median rent of $1,749/month. The local poverty rate of 2.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Hackleburg Elementary School Hackleburg, AL | 8.5 |
| Hollywood Elementary School Hollywood, AL | 8.5 |
| Huntington Place Elementary School Northport, AL | 8.5 |
| Ranburne Elementary School Ranburne, AL | 8.5 |
| Shelby Elementary School Shelby, AL | 8.5 |
| Woodmeade Elementary School Decatur, AL | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands School
What grades does Highlands School serve?
Highlands School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Highlands School?
Highlands School has an enrollment of approximately 290 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands School is 4.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Highlands School rank in AL?
Highlands School is ranked #6 out of 206 private schools in AL.
What is Highlands School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands School has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Highlands School a private school?
Yes, Highlands 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 Highlands School a religious school?
No, Highlands School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Birmingham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 290
- Gender Split
- 51% M / 49% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 4.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 64
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- JEFFERSON
- Phone
- (205) 956-9731
- 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.
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