By type
Independent Schools in Birmingham, Jefferson & Shelby
Schools with no religious affiliation in the federal survey (college prep, progressive, special education, alternative) plus state-listed schools whose affiliation the list does not record.
How many independent schools in Jefferson and Shelby counties take the CHOOSE Act?
28 of the 36 independent schools in our directory are on ALDOR's participating-school list dated October 23, 2026. Independent schools often charge well above $7,000, so the ESA is usually the first layer and the school's own aid is the second.
36
Private schools in this view28
On ALDOR's CHOOSE Act participating list1,626
Students reported in the federal survey9
Enroll pre-K children9
Teach through grade 12$7,000
CHOOSE Act ESA per enrolled studentBy community
Independent Schools: Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Columbiana & South Shelby
6 schools · 4 on the CHOOSE list
Browse →Independent Schools: US-280 Corridor & Oak Mountain
4 schools · 2 on the CHOOSE list
Browse →Independent Schools: Crestwood, Avondale, East Lake & Irondale
3 schools · 2 on the CHOOSE list
Browse →Independent Schools: Downtown, Southside & Highland Park
3 schools · 1 on the CHOOSE list
Browse →All 36 independent schools
| School | Type | Community | Grades | CHOOSE Act | Students (federal survey) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Waldorf School 5901 Crestwood Blvd, Birmingham 35212 | Independent Schools | Crestwood, Avondale, East Lake & Irondale | PK-8 | ✓ Participating | 93 |
| Allan Cott School 150 Glenwood Ln, Birmingham 35242 | Independent Schools | US-280 Corridor & Oak Mountain | 1-12 | Not on list | 59 |
| Arlington School 1312 22nd St S, Birmingham 35205 | Independent Schools | Downtown, Southside & Highland Park | 7-11 | Not on list | 5 |
| Bessemer Academy Bessemer | Independent Schools | Bessemer, Hueytown, Fairfield & McCalla | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| BuildUp Community School 222 6th Ave Sw, Birmingham 35211 | Independent Schools | West End, Ensley & Midfield | 9-12 | ✓ Participating | 50 |
| Coosa Valley Academy Harpersville | Independent Schools | Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Columbiana & South Shelby | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Creative Montessori School 2800 Montessori Way, Birmingham 35209 | Independent Schools | Homewood, Mountain Brook & Crestline | PK-8 | ✓ Participating | 133 |
| Crestwood Day School Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Crestwood Heights Academy Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| E2 Academy-WonderED Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| EB Academy-WonderED Pleasant Grove | Independent Schools | Bessemer, Hueytown, Fairfield & McCalla | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| GETHC Academy Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Higdon Hill School 6869-5th Ave So., Birmingham 35212 | Independent Schools | Crestwood, Avondale, East Lake & Irondale | 7-12 | Not on list | 57 |
| Highlands School 4901 Old Leeds Rd, Birmingham 35213 | Independent Schools | Homewood, Mountain Brook & Crestline | PK-8 | ✓ Participating | 296 |
| Hilltop Montessori School 6 Abbott Sq, Birmingham 35242 | Independent Schools | US-280 Corridor & Oak Mountain | PK-8 | ✓ Participating | 97 |
| Indian Springs School Indian Springs | Independent Schools | Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Columbiana & South Shelby | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Legacy Builders Academy Gardendale | Independent Schools | Gardendale, Forestdale, Pinson & North Jefferson | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Maranathan Academy 10 67th St N, Birmingham 35206 | Independent Schools | Crestwood, Avondale, East Lake & Irondale | 6-12 | ✓ Participating | 22 |
| Mitchell's Place Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Montessori Kids Universe Homewood 2041 Brookwood Medical Ctr Dr, Birmingham 35242 | Independent Schools | US-280 Corridor & Oak Mountain | K | Not on list | 102 |
| Noah's Park Weekday Early Education 5700 Deerfoot Pkwy, Trussville 35173 | Independent Schools | Trussville & Leeds | PK-K | Not on list | 10 |
| Primrose School of Riverwoods 501 Riverwoods Ct, Helena 35080 | Independent Schools | Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Columbiana & South Shelby | PK-K | Not on list | 45 |
| Red Mountain Community School 500 40th St S, Birmingham 35222 | Independent Schools | Downtown, Southside & Highland Park | PK-12 | ✓ Participating | 68 |
| Res Novae Academy Pinson | Independent Schools | Gardendale, Forestdale, Pinson & North Jefferson | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| River & Cape Montessori School 534 Industrial Rd, Alabaster 35007 | Independent Schools | Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Columbiana & South Shelby | PK-K | ✓ Participating | 6 |
| Savvy Academy - WonderED Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Spring Valley School 2701 Sydney Dr, Birmingham 35211 | Independent Schools | West End, Ensley & Midfield | 1-12 | ✓ Participating | 131 |
| The Altamont School 4801 Altamont Rd So., Birmingham 35222 | Independent Schools | Downtown, Southside & Highland Park | 5-12 | Not on list | 379 |
| The American Academy for Young Professionals Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | 6-12 | ✓ Participating | — |
| The Day Program 117 Plz Cir, 2nd Fl, Alabaster 35007 | Independent Schools | Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Columbiana & South Shelby | 7-11 | Not on list | 39 |
| The Hillsboro School 73 Elvira Rd, Helena 35080 | Independent Schools | Alabaster, Pelham, Helena, Columbiana & South Shelby | PK-12 | ✓ Participating | 34 |
| The Westminster School Oak Mountain | Independent Schools | US-280 Corridor & Oak Mountain | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Trinity Classical Academy Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Urban Community Montessori Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Valleydale Classical Academy Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
| Wonderstead Birmingham | Independent Schools | Birmingham address, neighborhood not on file | Not on file | ✓ Participating | — |
What a CHOOSE Act flag on a listing means
| It means | It doesn't mean |
|---|---|
| The school appears on ALDOR's participating list dated October 23, 2026 | Every applicant to that school will be awarded an ESA |
| The $7,000 ESA can pay its tuition and listed fees | The ESA covers uniforms, athletics or aftercare there |
| The school is accredited or in process, as ALDOR determined | We have verified the school's tuition or seats |
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