Private School Review - Established 2003
Mobile Christian School
Indian Springs School Top 3 ยท Highest Avg. SAT Score (AL)
Heritage Christian Academy

Alabama Private Schools Belonging to Membership Associations

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 302 private schools belonging to membership associations in Alabama.
The most popular school membership associations are Cognia (formerly AdvancED / SACS CASI / NCA CASI) (Cognia) (24% of schools), Other school association(s) (22% of schools) and American Association of Christian Schools (AACS) (16% of schools).

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • # Private Schools: 302

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • # Private Schools: 302

Top Ranked Alabama Private Schools by Membership Association (2026-27)

Membership Association
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Accelerated Christian Education (School of Tomorrow) (ACE)
19
1,216
39%
Accreditation International
1
75
10%
Alabama Christian Education Association (ACEA)
7
1,190
8%
Alabama Independent School Association (AISA)
44
14,614
18%
American Association of Christian Schools (AACS)
47
5,948
17%
American Montessori Society (AMS)
11
983
26%
Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
1
70
47%
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
1
-
-
Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
45
14,898
30%
Association of Christian Teachers and Schools (ACTS)
10
2,712
30%
Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS)
9
2,679
4%
Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS)
2
219
23%
Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA)
1
195
13%
Christian Schools International (CSI)
1
748
18%
Cognia (formerly AdvancED / SACS CASI / NCA CASI) (Cognia)
72
24,965
21%
Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS)
1
1,227
10%
Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA)
3
321
12%
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (Education) (GCSDAC)
5
258
79%
Institute for Independent Education (PVSR legacy category)
1
-
-
International Baccalaureate World School (IB)
1
629
99%
International Montessori Council (IMC)
1
27
18%
Jesuit Schools Network (formerly JSEA) (JSN)
1
145
50%
Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
3
444
61%
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
12
784
20%
National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES)
7
2,674
11%
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
20
9,132
15%
National Association of Laboratory Schools (NALS)
1
70
47%
National Association of Private Schools (NAPS)
4
1,155
71%
National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC)
1
224
6%
National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
32
8,522
34%
National Christian School Association (NCSA)
11
5,583
18%
National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA)
11
1,752
33%
National Independent Private School Association (NIPSA)
6
1,247
20%
Oral Roberts University Educational Fellowship (ORUEF)
2
510
55%
Orton Gillingham Academy of Practioners and Educators
1
61
5%
Other associations(s) for exceptional children
3
457
64%
Other Montessori association(s)
3
171
44%
Other religious school association(s)
22
3,264
15%
Other school association(s)
66
13,240
27%
Other special emphasis association(s)
9
2,758
17%
Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools (absorbed SSDSA) (Prizmah)
1
85
6%
Society for Classical Learning (SCL)
1
596
6%
Solomon Schechter Day Schools (SSDS)
1
74
6%
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
45
15,893
26%
Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)
19
9,929
11%
Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools (SBACS)
12
3,374
14%
State or regional independent school association
24
6,844
18%
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
3
502
47%
Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN)
1
195
13%

Recent Articles

When a Private School Changes Head of School
When a Private School Changes Head of School
A private school leadership change can raise important questions. Learn how to evaluate head of school transitions, identify warning signs, and protect your child's educational experience before enrolling confidently.
Private School Financial Aid Renewal: Could Awards Shrink?
Private School Financial Aid Renewal: Could Awards Shrink?
Could your private school financial aid shrink next year? Learn why awards change, how income and school budgets affect renewal, and what parents can do to protect affordability long-term.
Need-Blind vs. Need-Aware Private School Admissions
Need-Blind vs. Need-Aware Private School Admissions
Understand how need-blind and need-aware private school admissions affect acceptance decisions, financial aid eligibility, and affordability, with practical guidance to help parents compare schools, ask questions, and plan confidently ahead.

Quick Links

SCHOOL SEARCH TOOLS:
SCHOOL BY TYPE (AL):
OPEN-HOUSES & JOBS:
PUBLIC & BOARDING SCHOOLS:
PRIVATE SCHOOL DATA:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Financial Aid for Private Schools: 2026 Parent Guide
Financial Aid for Private Schools: 2026 Parent Guide
2025-26 Best SSAT Prep Courses Reviewed
2025-26 Best SSAT Prep Courses Reviewed

More Articles

Running a Private School
Why Private School
Jobs in Private Schools
COVID-19
Opinion