Scholars in Birmingham City Schools showed continued achievement increases on the latest Alabama State Report Card.
The district received a 79, a two-point gain over the previous year. This reflects improvements in academic proficiency, college and career readiness, graduation, and attendance.
“We’re seeing stronger outcomes across our district, and these results reflect meaningful progress,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan. “We celebrate the work of our scholars, educators, staff, and families while remaining focused on delivering high-quality instruction and helping every scholar succeed.”
From 2022–23 to 2025–26, district results show:
Academic proficiency increased from 20.25% to 29.13%, an 8.88-percentage-point gain and approximately 44% relative growth.
College and career readiness increased from 59.46% to 83.69%, a 24.23 percentage-point gain and approximately 40% relative growth.
The graduation rate increased from 82.98% to 87.72%, a 4.74-percentage-point gain.
Chronic absenteeism declined from 29% to 11%, an 18-percentage-point decrease and approximately 62% relative reduction since 2023.
The district maintained a C, with 28% of its 43 schools receiving an A or a B. That’s up 140% since the 2022-23 school year. The number of schools receiving a C or higher increased from 18 to 28, and all high schools maintained or improved their letter grades across that period.
The number of schools receiving an F declined from 15 in 2023 to three in 2026. The district has plans for consistent focused support for all students and schools to reach their full potential.
“These results give us reasons to be proud, but they also make clear that our work is not finished,” Sullivan said. “Our next milestone is a B. We will continue strengthening instruction, closing learning gaps, and partnering with families and the community to help every scholar thrive.”
BCS uses ongoing assessments to identify scholars who need additional academic challenges or support. Targeted instruction, high-dosage tutoring, and optional learning opportunities during school breaks will remain part of the district’s efforts to build on progress and address remaining needs.
About Birmingham City Schools: Birmingham City Schools, located in Alabama’s largest metropolitan area, serves approximately 20,000 students annually across 43 schools. The district offers a variety of academic programs and services to meet students’ diverse needs, including Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education, special education, and gifted and talented programs. Birmingham City Schools also provides a wide range of extracurricular activities, including athletics, clubs, and performing arts, to enrich students’ educational experiences.