For the 2026 school year, there are 25 charter public schools serving 7,737 students in Alabama.
Learn more about how charter schools work. The top-ranked charter public schools in Alabama are University Charter School Elementary School, Magic City Acceptance Academy and Breakthrough Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Alabama charter public schools have an average math proficiency score of 8% (versus the Alabama public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public school average of 50% (majority Black).
Best Charter Public Schools in Alabama (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
University Charter School Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
108 North Street
Livingston, AL 35470
(205) 652-3848
Livingston, AL 35470
(205) 652-3848
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #22.
Magic City Acceptance Academy
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
75 Bagby Dr
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 961-3204
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 961-3204
Gr: 6-12 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Breakthrough Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1101 Washington Street
Marion, AL 36756
(559) 696-4461
Marion, AL 36756
(559) 696-4461
Gr: PK-11 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #44.
I3 Academy Phase 2
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
7901 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35206
(205) 403-5777
Birmingham, AL 35206
(205) 403-5777
Gr: 6-9 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Lead Academy Building A
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2897 Eastern Blvd
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 451-3127
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 451-3127
Gr: PK-3 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Legacy Prep
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1500 Daniel Payne Drive
Birmingham, AL 35214
(205) 573-0777
Birmingham, AL 35214
(205) 573-0777
Gr: K-6 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #77.
I3 Academy Phase 1
Charter School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
230 49th Street North
Birmingham, AL 35212
(205) 403-5777
Birmingham, AL 35212
(205) 403-5777
Gr: K-5 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #88.
Acceleration Day And Evening Academy
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3725 Airport Blvd
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 301-0050
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 301-0050
Gr: 9-12 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #99.
Lead Academy Building B
Charter School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2897 Eastern Blvd
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 451-3127
Montgomery, AL 36116
(334) 451-3127
Gr: 4-10 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1010.
Davis Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3605 Rosa Parks Dr
Montgomery, AL 36105
(334) 269-3662
Montgomery, AL 36105
(334) 269-3662
Gr: K-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1111.
Nixon Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Edgar D Nixon Ave
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 269-3012
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 269-3012
Gr: PK-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Bellingrath Middle School
Charter School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3350 S Court St
Montgomery, AL 36105
(334) 269-3623
Montgomery, AL 36105
(334) 269-3623
Gr: 6-8 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Acceleration Preparatory Academy
Charter School
3725 Airport Blvd
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 301-0050
Mobile, AL 36608
(251) 301-0050
Gr: 6-8 | 322 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Alabama Aerospace And Aviation High School
Charter School
114 2nd Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 538-0702
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 538-0702
Gr: 9-12 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
Covenant Academy Of Mobile
Charter School
4568 Halls Mill Road
Mobile, AL 36693
(251) 510-3671
Mobile, AL 36693
(251) 510-3671
Gr: K-6 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
Empower Community School Upper Campus
Charter School
751a Academy Drive
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 413-8600
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 413-8600
Gr: 4-8 | 211 students Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Empower Community Schoollower School
Charter School
2410 7th Ave North
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 413-8600
Bessemer, AL 35020
(205) 413-8600
Gr: K-4 | 201 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Floretta P Carson Visual And Performing Arts Academy
Charter School
3100 Cottage Hill Road
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 289-9437
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 289-9437
Gr: 6-11 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: n/an/a
Freedom Prep Academy
Charter School
630 1st Avenue S
Birmingham, AL 35205
(334) 521-6094
Birmingham, AL 35205
(334) 521-6094
Gr: K-1 | 41 students Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
I Dream Big Charter Schools
Charter School
3601 Stillman Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(731) 293-3677
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(731) 293-3677
Rank: n/an/a
Independence Preparatory Academy
Charter School
4614 Highway 280 1068
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 346-6366
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 346-6366
Rank: n/an/a
Legacy Prep Intermediate
Charter School
2900 S Park Dr Sw
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 573-0777
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 573-0777
Gr: 4-7 | 219 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: n/an/a
Life Academy At Historic St Jude Educational Institute
Charter School
2080 W Fairview Ave
Montgomery, AL 36108
(334) 315-0106
Montgomery, AL 36108
(334) 315-0106
Gr: K-7 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
Rank: n/an/a
University Charter School Secondary
Charter School
134 University Drive
Livingston, AL 35470
(205) 754-3440
Livingston, AL 35470
(205) 754-3440
Gr: 6-12 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked charter public schools in Alabama?
The top-ranked charter public schools in Alabama include University Charter School Elementary School, Magic City Acceptance Academy and Breakthrough Charter School.
How many charter public schools are located in Alabama?
25 charter public schools are located in Alabama.
What is the racial composition of students in Alabama?
Alabama charter public schools minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Alabama public schools average of 50% (majority Black).
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
