Highlands School (Birmingham, AL): CHOOSE Act Status & Funding

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.

Funding fit at Highlands School

$7,000

CHOOSE Act ESA per enrolled student, every grade K5-12

≤ $10,000

Accountability Act SGO scholarship, if the school partners with an SGO and the family qualifies (instead of the ESA)

Free

First Class Pre-K for 4-year-olds, only if this school holds a funded classroom; ask

Does Highlands School accept the CHOOSE Act ESA?

Yes. Highlands School is on the Alabama Department of Revenue's CHOOSE Act participating-school list dated October 23, 2026, so a participating student's $7,000 ESA can pay its tuition and approved fees through ClassWallet.

The award is the same for every grade from K5 through 12; for 2027-28 there is no household income test, though priority groups are served first if money runs short.

What does the federal record say about Highlands School?

The federal Private School Survey (2023-24) reports 296 students and 36 full-time-equivalent teachers in grades PK-8. Association memberships it reported: National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Membership in an association is not the same as accreditation; ALDOR decides accreditation status for the CHOOSE Act.

How do families usually pay at Highlands School?

Independent schools set their own aid. Ask what the balance is after the ESA, and which of the school's fees are on the approved list. The school enrolls pre-K children; the ESA starts at K5, so ask whether it hosts a First Class Pre-K classroom or accepts DHR child care subsidies.

Check my funding for this school →

What should I ask Highlands School?

Are you on ALDOR's current CHOOSE Act participating list, and how do you invoice through ClassWallet?
What is tuition for my child's grade, and which of your fees are on the approved list?
Do you partner with an Accountability Act SGO, and would that award be larger than the ESA for us?
What aid, sibling or member pricing applies after state money?
Do you host First Class Pre-K or accept DHR child care subsidies?

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