St. Bernard Preparatory School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked AL School
Grades: 7-12
Enrollment: 144 students
Yearly Tuition: $9,350
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

St. Bernard Preparatory School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Alabama for:

School Facts

Religious Affiliation

Catholic

Grades Offered

Grades 7-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	St. Bernard Preparatory School
7	20
8	27
9	32
10	22
11	20
12	23

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Year Founded

1891

Campus Size

900 acres

Student Body

Total Students

144 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

29%

State avg.: 25%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

16 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

9:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

85%

Average SAT score

1290

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Classroom Dress Code

Formal

Khaki pants, girls uniform skirt, blazer

Number of AP Courses

8 courses

Advanced Courses

BiologyCalculus I

Calculus IIChemistry

Dual Enrollment EnglishEnglish A

English BEuropean History

Physics

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

State or regional independent school association
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Cognia (formerly AdvancED / SACS CASI / NCA CASI) (Cognia)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$9,350

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Day Tuition - 9350 including Books and Fees 27100 boarding, incl. Room, Board and Books and Fees

% on Financial Aid

60%

Admissions Director

Brother Bernard Denson, O.S.B.

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

Total Sports Offered

13 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

BowlingCheering

Cross CountryFootball

SoccerSoftball

SwimmingTennis

Track and FieldVolleyball

Winter Track

Colors

White, Blue, Navy Blue

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

15 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Art ClubAstronomy Club

Bernardian Admissions TeamCampus Ministry

Drama ClubInteract

Jazz BandJunior Classical League (Latin)

Mu Alpha Theta (Math)Music Ensemble

National Honor SocietyRecycling Club

Show ChoirSigma Tau Delta (English)

Spanish Club

School Notes

St. Bernard is a co-ed Catholic boarding and day school for grades 7-12. Since 1891 St. Bernard has been providing a quality education that prepares students for college/university studies and life.
Operated by the Benedictine monks of St. Bernard Abbey, the school offers students a Catholic Christian education, college preparatory curriculum, 5 or 7-day boarding, supervised study hall, and financial assistance.
The school's purpose is to assist students to grow to their potential in mind, body and spirit.

St. Bernard Preparatory School admits students who seek to prepare for college and university studies and who are academically capable of excelling through standard college prep instructional and testing methods. The school endeavors to challenge each student to academic excellence through a rigorous and reasonablecollege preparatory program, including AP courses and dual-enrollment in college courses.
- St. Bernard averages over$3 million in scholarships per 25 graduates. Over $5 million in 2014, 24 graduates.
- St. Bernard graduates are accepted to numerous prestigious colleges and universities.
- ACT and SAT scores consistently rank well above the national average.
- Cultural diversity is promoted through our international student population.
- Foreign travel opportunities are available to students.
- Highly-educated and experienced faculty of Monks and Lay personnel.
- Extensive athletics program as well as a full spectrum of visual and performing arts.
- Safe, secure environment on the picturesque 900 acres of St. Bernard Abbey.
- Located in North Alabama in the quaint community of Cullman (originally founded by German immigrants in 1877),an hour drivenorth of Birmingham,an hoursouth of Huntsville, two hours from Nashville, TN,from three hours from Atlanta, GA.
- Residential life that promotes growth, maturity and the self-knowledge that comes through a healthy measure of independence and self-reliance.
- The school's "House System" organizes the student body into "houses" of less than 20 students, supervised by teachers and staff members. This results in integration of the student body, student leadership skills, and personal connection with faculty and staff.School accreditations:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, The Association of Boarding Schools, Secondary Schools Admissions Test Board

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Students accepted at Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Notre Dame, and MIT. -

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does St. Bernard Preparatory School cost?

St. Bernard Preparatory School's tuition is approximately $9,350 for private students.

Who are famous alumni from St. Bernard Preparatory School?

St. Bernard Preparatory School famous alumni include: Students accepted at Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Notre Dame, and MIT..

What sports does St. Bernard Preparatory School offer?

St. Bernard Preparatory School offers 13 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheering, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Winter Track. St. Bernard Preparatory School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Alabama for most sports offered.

What is St. Bernard Preparatory School's ranking?

St. Bernard Preparatory School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Alabama for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for St. Bernard Preparatory School?

The application deadline for St. Bernard Preparatory School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Alabama is $10,686 for elementary schools and $11,698 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Alabama is 86% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).