📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2021–22 for most districts), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
20 Rated Districts in the Birmingham, AL Metro Area
EDFacts 2021–22 · percentile among Alabama districts
| Metro Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mountain Brook City School District | Mountain Brk | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #2 | Vestavia Hills City School District | Vestavia Hills | 10/10 Excellent | 99th |
| #3 | Homewood City School District | Homewood | 10/10 Excellent | 98th |
| #4 | Trussville City School District | Trussville | 10/10 Excellent | 97th |
| #5 | Hoover City School District | Hoover | 10/10 Excellent | 94th |
| #6 | Shelby County School District | Columbiana | 9/10 Excellent | 89th |
| #7 | Alabaster City School District | Alabaster | 9/10 Excellent | 82nd |
| #8 | Pelham City School District | Pelham | 8/10 Good | 79th |
| #9 | St. Clair County School District | Ashville | 7/10 Good | 65th |
| #10 | Blount County School District | Oneonta | 6/10 Average | 58th |
| #11 | Pell City City School District | Pell City | 6/10 Average | 56th |
| #12 | Leeds City School District | Leeds | 5/10 Average | 49th |
| #13 | Walker County School District | Jasper | 5/10 Average | 43rd |
| #14 | Bibb County School District | Centreville | 3/10 Below Average | 28th |
| #15 | Chilton County School District | Clanton | 3/10 Below Average | 27th |
| #16 | Jefferson County School District | Birmingham | 3/10 Below Average | 24th |
| #17 | Birmingham City School District | Birmingham | 2/10 Poor | 13th |
| #18 | Fairfield City School District | Fairfield | 1/10 Poor | 7th |
| #19 | Bessemer City School District | Bessemer | 1/10 Poor | 6th |
| #20 | Midfield City School District | Midfield | 1/10 Poor | 2nd |
Best School Districts in the Birmingham, AL Metro Area (2026)
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from EDFacts 2021–22 (Alabama) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Birmingham, AL metro area? ▼
Among the 20 rated districts in the Birmingham, AL metro area, 2 share the top position at 10/10 (Excellent), 99th percentile of Alabama districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency: Mountain Brook City School District (Mountain Brk); Vestavia Hills City School District (Vestavia Hills).
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments, percentile-ranked against all rated districts in its state and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.