Excellent
#8 of 206 private schools in AL
Top 3% of private schools
St Bernard Preparatory School
High School
1600 SAINT BERNARD AVE SE, Cullman, AL 35055
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 16 schools in Cullman. Learn more
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
8.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Cullman
#1 of 4
public schools
Alabama high schools
#1 of 17
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About St Bernard Preparatory School
St Bernard Preparatory School serves 133 students in grades 7 through 12 in Cullman, Alabama. With just 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, allowing for personalized attention and close mentorship between faculty and students. The school has earned recognition for its academic excellence, receiving a 9.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 58th out of 206 schools statewide, placing it in the 72nd percentile among Alabama schools.
This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a smaller, more intimate learning environment. St Bernard Preparatory School operates as a regular public school, serving families throughout the Cullman area. The surrounding community in ZIP code 35055 has a median household income of $56,769 and a median home value of $185,300, with 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 14.3% among its 22,521 residents. Located in a rural area near town, St Bernard Preparatory School offers students the benefits of a close-knit educational community while remaining connected to the broader Cullman area's resources and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 133 students, St Bernard Preparatory 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 8.2:1, St Bernard Preparatory 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, St Bernard Preparatory 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 St Bernard Preparatory School compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Cullman, AL
Student Demographics
Nearby High Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Bernard Preparatory School (this school) | 8.4 |
| Cullman High School | 6.4 |
| Cullman Middle School | 6.8 |
| Cullman Child Development Center | 5.9 |
| Good Hope High School | 3.9 |
| Good Hope Middle School | 5.3 |
| Fairview Middle School | 5.1 |
| Fairview High School | 3.1 |
| West Point High School | 3.4 |
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
1600 SAINT BERNARD AVE SE, Cullman, AL 35055
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Bernard Preparatory School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cullman High School (rated 6.4/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Vinemont High School (rated 5.2/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Vinemont), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hanceville High School (rated 4.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Hanceville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Cullman, see our Cullman schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| East Elementary School Cullman | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Cullman | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Cullman City Primary School Cullman | 1.5 mi | 9.9 |
| CULLMAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cullman | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| SACRED HEART ELEMENTARY Cullman | 1.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Cullman High School Cullman | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Cullman Middle School Cullman | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| West Elementary School Cullman | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Cullman Child Development Center Cullman | 4.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Welti Elementary School Cullman | 4.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Vinemont Middle School Vinemont | 5.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Vinemont Elementary School Vinemont | 5.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Vinemont High School Vinemont | 5.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Good Hope Elementary School Cullman | 6.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Good Hope High School Cullman | 6.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Good Hope Middle School Cullman | 6.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Good Hope Primary School Cullman | 6.7 mi | 9.1 |
| VINEMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Vinemont | 7.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Hanceville Middle School Hanceville | 8.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Hanceville High School Hanceville | 8.4 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35055 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,488
Median Home Value
$195,400
Median Rent
$934/mo
Population
23,231
College Educated
26.4%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
16.2%
Median Age
41.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Bernard Preparatory School has a median household income of $58,488. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,400, with a median rent of $934/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| CORNERSTONE HIGH SCHOOL Birmingham, AL | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Bernard Preparatory School
What grades does St Bernard Preparatory School serve?
St Bernard Preparatory School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend St Bernard Preparatory School?
St Bernard Preparatory School has an enrollment of approximately 133 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Bernard Preparatory School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Bernard Preparatory School is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Bernard Preparatory School rank in AL?
St Bernard Preparatory School is ranked #8 out of 206 private schools in AL.
What is St Bernard Preparatory School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Bernard Preparatory School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 St Bernard Preparatory School a private school?
Yes, St Bernard Preparatory School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is St Bernard Preparatory School a religious school?
St Bernard Preparatory School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 133
- Gender Split
- 49% M / 51% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7.4 hours
- Days Per Year
- 176 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- CULLMAN
- Phone
- (256) 739-6682
- 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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