Central Alabama School Scores Rise as Disparities Persist

Most school districts across central Alabama improved their state report card scores, according to data released by the Alabama State Department of Education on Thursday, offering encouraging signs of academic progress even as achievement gaps remain wide.

The state’s overall average rose from 87 to 88, with 33 out of the 49 local systems evaluated by ABC 33/40 showing better results. Eleven systems remained unchanged, and five declined during the 2025-26 academic year.

Nearly half of the reviewed districts earned scores of 90 or higher. However, the newly published marks also highlight stark contrasts between adjacent educational districts, where some continue facing difficulties while others achieve nearly flawless ratings.

Suburban districts lead regional gains

Birmingham-area school systems once again earned scores in the 90s. Mountain Brook City Schools led the reviewed districts with a 99, followed by Vestavia Hills City Schools with a 98.

Homewood and Trussville City Schools both attained a score of 97, whereas Hoover City Schools achieved a 95 and Shelby County Schools registered a 92. Those results place several neighboring districts well above the statewide score of 88.

The differences become more pronounced when comparing school systems across Jefferson County. Jefferson County Schools earned an 84, improving two points from 2025. Birmingham City Schools earned a 79, also improving two points.

A gap of 20 points separates Mountain Brook and Birmingham, demonstrating the wide disparity in report card outcomes found within the same urban region.

Birmingham City Schools improve scores despite ongoing challenges

Birmingham City Schools registered performance gains for a second successive report card cycle, climbing from 77 in 2025 to 79 in 2026. While the two-point gain represents progress, the district remains nine points below the statewide score.

These findings arrive as Birmingham City Schools pursues ongoing initiatives to resolve staffing shortages, boost student attendance, and elevate academic outcomes. During a recent school board work session, district officials discussed a proposed $606,495 contract to provide virtual instruction for eight vacant teaching positions at five schools.

Inquiries were likewise made by board members concerning the efficacy of a current tutoring arrangement and whether pupils were actually obtaining the promised academic assistance.

Meanwhile, Bessemer City Schools earned a 76, up two points from its 2025 score of 74. State supervision continues in the district following a multi-year period marked by anxieties over board governance and operational management.

State education authorities recently verified that Bessemer had made headway across multiple report card metrics, most notably in decreasing chronic absenteeism. The district’s school board resumed meetings Oct. 20 following a suspension, and five of its seven members were replaced during the latest election.

State officials have not announced when full local control will be restored, and the district is also working to restore accreditation through Cognia.

Diverging paths in Fairfield and Talladega

Fairfield City Schools experienced one of the largest declines among the districts reviewed. Its score fell from 79 in 2025 to 75 in 2026, a four-point decrease. The decline stands out because several surrounding school systems improved. Midfield City Schools increased four points, from 74 to 78. Tarrant City Schools improved five points, from 74 to 79.

Among the 49 districts reviewed, Talladega City Schools recorded the largest year-over-year improvement. Its score increased six points, from 77 in 2025 to 83 in 2026.

Alexander City Schools and Fayette County Schools both saw increases of five points, while Tarrant City Schools also rose by five points. Midfield City Schools gained four points.

Coosa County experienced the largest decline, falling 11 points from 82 to 71. Coosa County also recorded the lowest overall score among the districts reviewed. Even with those declines, no district in the 49-district review received an overall score below 70.

Report cards issued by the state offer a comprehensive overview of school system efficacy by evaluating multiple metrics rather than relying solely on standardized test outcomes. Although these evaluations assist families in spotting patterns over time, an aggregate district score fails to capture the full picture of any individual child’s learning environment.

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