Although data shows that Birmingham City Schools are making progress in several key areas, much work remains to achieve the district’s long-term goal of becoming a recognized leader in public education and preparing students for global success.
The district, which earned an overall “C” on the 2023–2024 Alabama State Department of Education report card, is working to raise that grade and strengthen student achievement by 2029. Seven schools within the district still received an “F” grade this year, underscoring the urgent need for continued improvement.
Those schools were:
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Jackson-Olin High School
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Jones Valley Middle School
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Smith Middle School
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Wilkerson Middle School
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BSC Virtual Academy of Learning
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Hayes K-8 School
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Hudson K-8 School
RELATED: State Board of Education approves new contract, pay raise for Superintendent Eric Mackey
To address these challenges, Birmingham City Schools (BCS) has adopted a comprehensive 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, outlining a five-year roadmap focused on five major priority areas: Academic Achievement, Student Well-being, Staff Effectiveness, Customer Service, and District Accountability and Cohesion.
Key initiatives outlined in the plan include:
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Academic Achievement:
The district aims to improve early literacy and math skills, close achievement gaps for students with disabilities and English learners, and better prepare middle and high school students for college and careers. -
Student Wellbeing:
Efforts will focus on reducing chronic absenteeism, strengthening social-emotional supports, and ensuring students feel safe, supported, and a sense of belonging within their schools. -
Staff Effectiveness:
BCS plans to improve teacher retention and recruitment, aiming to hire passionate, high-quality educators who can drive academic excellence. -
Customer Service:
Enhancing communication with families and community partners is a major focus. The district aims to enhance parent engagement and satisfaction by providing clearer messaging and more consistent outreach. -
District Accountability and Cohesion:
Leadership development, streamlined operations, and improved consistency across schools are key strategies for building a stronger district-wide foundation.
The strategic plan also highlights major challenges, including declining enrollment, lingering achievement gaps despite high per-pupil spending, and ongoing teacher turnover. Socioeconomic factors continue to play a major role, with 87% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch and nearly 1,700 students experiencing some form of homelessness.
District leaders have committed to tracking progress through data-driven benchmarks, regular community feedback sessions, and consistent monitoring of academic growth using tools such as i-Ready assessments and ACAP testing.
The full 2024–2029 Strategic Plan is available for viewing here.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
