Private schools in Shelby County, AL
19 schools across Alabaster, Birmingham, Columbiana, Harpersville and other towns. About 3,814 students in all (2023-24). 11 on the state’s CHOOSE Act list.
| School | Grades | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Evangel Classical Christian School ✓ | PreK-12 | 287 |
| River Cape Montessori School ✓ | PreK-K | 6 |
| Briarwood Christian School ✓ | PreK-12 | 1,552 |
| Hilltop Montessori School ✓ | PreK-8 | 97 |
| Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy ✓ | PreK-8 | 116 |
| Our Lady of the Valley School ✓ | PreK-8 | 166 |
| Cornerstone Christian School ✓ | PreK-12 | 155 |
| Coosa Valley Academy ✓ | On the state list; not in the federal survey | |
| Gospel Light Baptist Academy ✓ | PreK-12 | 27 |
| The Hillsboro School ✓ | PreK-12 | 34 |
| St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School ✓ | On the state list; not in the federal survey | |
| Alabaster Weekday Early Education Program | PreK-K | 70 |
| The Day Program | 7-11 | 39 |
| Westwood Baptist Weekday Edu Ministry | PreK-K | 8 |
| Essential Church School | K-12 | 1,185 |
| Primrose School of Riverwoods | PreK-K | 45 |
| Ardent Preschool & Daycare | PreK-K | 3 |
| Riverchase United Methodist Day School | PreK-K | 15 |
| Chase Learning Center and Daycare | PreK-K | 9 |
Shelby County private schools at a glance
- Towns
- 8; the most in Alabaster (5), Birmingham (5) and Helena (3)
- Among Alabama counties
- 5th most private schools of 55; 6% of the state’s 339
- Typical school
- 155 students (10 reporting)
- Smallest and largest
- Gospel Light Baptist Academy, 27 students; Briarwood Christian School, 1,552 students
- Students per teacher
- 8.5 typical, 3.6 to 22.5 across 15 schools
- Programs
- 4 Montessori
- Association members
- 6, most often the American Montessori Society
- To a 4-year college
- 94% of graduates at the typical high school (6 reporting)
- Verified tuition
- Joseph S Bruno Montessori Academy $13,225
- State program
- Education savings account, $7,000 per student at a participating school
How CHOOSE Act works
- Catholic2
- Christian, not Catholic10
- Nonsectarian5
- Not in federal survey2
- Pre-K (and up)15
- Elementary (K to 5)16
- Middle (6 to 8)10
- High school (9 to 12)7
- K to 12, one school6
- Under 503
- 50 to 1492
- 150 to 2993
- 300 to 5990
- 600 or more2
- Shelby County58%
- All of Alabama73%
Where these facts come from
- Grades, size, affiliation, co-ed, membership, college-going: NCES Private School Universe Survey 2023-24, downloaded September 20, 2026.
- Program list: Alabama CHOOSE Act schools, list dated October 23, 2026, checked October 26, 2026.
- Award and rules: Alabama CHOOSE Act, official page, read October 1, 2026.
- Tuition for 1 school: each school’s own website, last read October 11, 2026.
Neighboring counties
- Jefferson County (63)
- Chilton County (2)
- Bibb County (1)
- Talladega County (3)
- St. Clair County (2)
- Walker County (4)
- Tuscaloosa County (9)
- Clay County (2)
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