Essential Church School in Birmingham, AL serves 861 co–ed students from kindergarten through 12th grade in a suburban community setting.
The school has a student–teacher ratio of 20:1 with 44 teachers supporting its regular elementary and secondary programs.
Essential Church School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Alabama for largest student body size.
The school operates within a larger suburban locale, providing education for families seeking a K–12 private school option in Birmingham.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked AL School
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 861 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Essential Church School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
Student Body
Total Students
861 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
44 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
National avg.: 11:1
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Essential Church School's ranking?
Essential Church School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Alabama for: Largest student body.
When is the application deadline for Essential Church School?
The application deadline for Essential Church School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Nearby Private Schools
The nearest high school to Essential Church School is Westminster School At Oak Mountain (2.8 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Hilltop Montessori School (2.4 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Primrose School At Meadowbrook (1.7 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Primrose School At Meadowbrook
Daycare / Preschool
4855 Meadow Brook Rd
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 991-3020
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 991-3020
1.7 miles
Gr: PK-K | 25 students
The Church At Brookhills Early
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
3145 Brook Highland Parkway
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 980-3053
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 980-3053
1.9 miles
Gr: PK-K | 156 students
6 Abbott Square
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 437-9343
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 437-9343
2.4 miles
Gr: NS-8 | 182 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Westminster School At Oak Mountain ![Westminster School At Oak Mountain Photo - We are a K-12 Christ-centered, classical school in Birmingham, Alabama.]( "Westminster School At Oak Mountain Photo - We are a K-12 Christ-centered, classical school in Birmingham, Alabama.")
Special Program Emphasis (Presbyterian)
5080 Cahaba Valley Trace
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-9694
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-9694
2.8 miles
Gr: K-12 | 596 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Gods House Kindergarten And Day Care
Daycare / Preschool (Presbyterian)
4660 Caldwell Mill Rd
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 967-7611
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 967-7611
4.5 miles
Gr: PK | 139 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Westminster School At Oak Mountain ![Westminster School At Oak Mountain Photo - We are a K-12 Christ-centered, classical school in Birmingham, Alabama.]( "Westminster School At Oak Mountain Photo - We are a K-12 Christ-centered, classical school in Birmingham, Alabama.")
Special Program Emphasis (Presbyterian)
5080 Cahaba Valley Trace
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-9694
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-9694
2.8 miles
Gr: K-12 | 596 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Allan Cott School
Special Education School
150 Glenwood Ln
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 969-2880
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 969-2880
5.4 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 44 students
2204 Briarwood Way
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 776-5909
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 776-5909
5.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 1,745 students Avg. class size: 23 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
190 Woodward Drive
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 988-3350
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 988-3350
7.2 miles
Gr: 8-12 | 343 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 20 Tuition listed
2113 Old Rocky Ridge Rd
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 987-3376
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 987-3376
7.5 miles
Gr: K-12 | 58 students Avg. class size: 8 students Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
6 Abbott Square
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 437-9343
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 437-9343
2.4 miles
Gr: NS-8 | 182 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Westminster School At Oak Mountain ![Westminster School At Oak Mountain Photo - We are a K-12 Christ-centered, classical school in Birmingham, Alabama.]( "Westminster School At Oak Mountain Photo - We are a K-12 Christ-centered, classical school in Birmingham, Alabama.")
Special Program Emphasis (Presbyterian)
5080 Cahaba Valley Trace
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-9694
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-9694
2.8 miles
Gr: K-12 | 596 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
5509 Timber Hill Rd
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-8709
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-8709
4.8 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 144 students Acceptance rate listed
5510 Double Oak Lane
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 991-5963
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 991-5963
5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 242 students Avg. class size: 19 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
Allan Cott School
Special Education School
150 Glenwood Ln
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 969-2880
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 969-2880
5.4 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 44 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Primrose School At Meadowbrook
Daycare / Preschool
4855 Meadow Brook Rd
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 991-3020
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 991-3020
1.7 miles
Gr: PK-K | 25 students
The Church At Brookhills Early
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
3145 Brook Highland Parkway
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 980-3053
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 980-3053
1.9 miles
Gr: PK-K | 156 students
6 Abbott Square
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 437-9343
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 437-9343
2.4 miles
Gr: NS-8 | 182 students Avg. class size: 22 students Sports: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Gods House Kindergarten And Day Care
Daycare / Preschool (Presbyterian)
4660 Caldwell Mill Rd
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 967-7611
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 967-7611
4.5 miles
Gr: PK | 139 students
5509 Timber Hill Rd
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-8709
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-8709
4.8 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 144 students Acceptance rate listed
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Mcadory Middle School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5450 Yellow Jacket Boulevard
Mc Calla, AL 35111
(205) 379-4730
Mc Calla, AL 35111
(205) 379-4730
8626.9 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 841 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Mcadory High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4800 Mcadory School Rd
Mc Calla, AL 35111
(205) 379-4700
Mc Calla, AL 35111
(205) 379-4700
8627 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,259 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Mccalla Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2020 Mccalla School Road
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 379-3750
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 379-3750
8627.5 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 752 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Bessemer City High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4950 Premiere Parkway
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3700
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 432-3700
8627.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 760 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Hueytown High School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4881 15th Street Road
Bessemer, AL 35023
(205) 379-4150
Bessemer, AL 35023
(205) 379-4150
8627.6 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,200 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
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