By type & community
Independent Schools in Downtown, Southside & Highland Park
3 independent schools in Downtown, Southside & Highland Park; 1 on the CHOOSE Act participating list. The city center below Red Mountain, from the loft blocks downtown to Five Points South, Glen Iris and Highland Park.
Where this comes from. School details are from the NCES Private School Survey (2023-24, or 2021-22 where a school skipped the latest round). CHOOSE Act status is from the Alabama Department of Revenue participating-school list dated October 23, 2026, matched by name and city. Tuition is not published in either source, so confirm it with the school.
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.
| School | Type | Community | Grades | CHOOSE Act | Students (federal survey) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington School 1312 22nd St S, Birmingham 35205 | Independent Schools | Downtown, Southside & Highland Park | 7-11 | Not on list | 5 |
| Red Mountain Community School 500 40th St S, Birmingham 35222 | Independent Schools | Downtown, Southside & Highland Park | PK-12 | ✓ Participating | 68 |
| The Altamont School 4801 Altamont Rd So., Birmingham 35222 | Independent Schools | Downtown, Southside & Highland Park | 5-12 | Not on list | 379 |
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 |
See which Alabama programs fit your child
Five questions, about two minutes. Then a tuition counselor phones with the programs and dates for your child.