Public Schools

Age requirements: Children who will be 5 years old on or before September 1 are eligible for admission to public kindergarten. Kindergarten classes are provided at all public schools, but are not mandatory. All children between the ages of 6 and 17 are required to be enrolled in school.

Location: A child’s school is determined by the location of the parent’s or legal guardian’s residence. Students must attend the school in their assigned zone with the exception of magnet schools, or a transfer from a priority school.

Transportation: Busing is used throughout the system for any student who lives more than 2.5 miles from the school they are zoned to attend. For students attending magnet schools, transportation is provided to and from the public school the students would normally be zoned to attend. The students will then be bussed to their neighborhood. There is door-to-door transportation available on specially equipped buses for children with special education needs.

Registration: Parents must present an Alabama Certificate of Immunization (blue card) obtained by their doctor or an exemption as prescribed by the Department of Public Health. A child’s birth certificate, social security number, and proof of the parent’s or guardian’s address must also be presented. A social security number is required. If a student is transferring from another school, a transcript, report card, or transfer notice must be presented at the time of registration.

Click here to view the latest Alabama State Department of Education Report Card

Autauga County Schools

There are 13 public schools with approximately 9,150 students in the Autauga County system—five elementary, one intermediate, one middle, one junior high, two high schools, two K-12 schools, and a technology center. All schools are accredited by the Alabama State Department of Education and Cognia (formally AdvancedEd).

Inherent in the Autauga school system mission is the belief that “schools should be safe, happy places where children look forward to coming each day to celebrate their joy for life and learning, that all children can learn, and that teaching should be adapted to the learning styles of those being taught.”

For more information and school calendars, please visit the Autauga County Public Schools online at www.acboe.net

Elmore County Schools

There are 17 public schools in the Elmore County system with approximately 11,200 students——five elementary, one intermediate, five middle schools, four high schools, one virtual school, and one technical center. The Elmore County Public School System consists of five school communities; Eclectic, Holtville, Millbrook, Redland, and Wetumpka. Each community has the grade composition of kindergarten through 12th grade.

The philosophy of this school system is: “Each student is seen as a unique person who possesses certain potential, needs, aspirations, and interests. As each student is different, the purpose of education is to provide appropriate experiences in school, which develop maximum achievement so each individual will become a useful and productive member of society.” Elmore County Schools have a Smartboard learning tool in each classroom. For more information about the Elmore County Public School System, please visit www.elmoreco.com.

Elmore County’s Diverse Gateway to Education (EDGE), encompasses 21st century, SACS accredited education with the primary goal of empowering students with tools for success. EDGE is a free virtual program available for students in grades 3-12 living in Elmore, Autauga, and Montgomery counties. EDGE students learn at home, with diverse options including live tutors and schedule flexibility. For more information and application, visit www.elmoreco.com/virtual or contact Cindy Hines at 334-514-3931 ext. 27001.

Montgomery County Schools

Montgomery Public Schools is guided by a student–first philosophy. The mission is to engage, educate, and inspire students to succeed in college, career, and beyond. The district is comprised of 49 schools with a variety of academic programs and services to meet their diverse needs and interests,including11magnetschools that cover all grade levels and themes ranging from science, performing arts, technology, and accelerated academics to international studies. MPS offers a full range of curricula complemented by college preparatory programs, cultural arts, music, foreign languages, technology, career and technical education, and athletics.

Pike Road Schools

There are approximately 2,500 students in four schools—one elementary, one intermediate, one junior high, and one high school. The mission of the Pike Road School System is to create a culture of intellectual curiosity where all students have ownership over their learning and are inspired to think, innovate, and create. Pike Road plans to build a new high school building and expand its existing schools. Currently, the Georgia Washington campus is the campus of two schools. Pike Road Junior High (grades 7th–9th) and Pike Road High School (grades 10th–12th).

The Alabama Accountability Act
The Alabama Accountability Act (AAA) provides tuition scholarships for students looking to transfer from schools that have been named a priority school.

There are several options for students zoned to attend priority schools. The student may remain or enroll in their assigned school. The student may also transfer to a comparable school that is not included on the annual list of “priority schools” within the same local school system, as long as it has available space and is willing to accept the student. As another option, the student may transfer to a qualifying private Alabama school that is willing to accept the student.

A parent is eligible to claim income tax credit if the parent claims the eligible student as a dependent on their Alabama income tax return, the student is enrolled in or assigned to attend a failing school, the parent chooses to transfer the student from the priority school to a non-priority public school or private school, and the parent incurs creditable costs related to the transfer of the student. Tuition and other mandatory fees charged to the parent by the non-priority public school or private school to which the eligible student transferred qualify for income tax credit.

What Are Charter Schools?
Charter schools are independently-operated, tuition-free public schools that are open to all students. Separated from the traditional school board—these schools give teachers the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs. The principals have the flexibility to create a school culture that fosters student performance and parent satisfaction.

What Do Charter Schools Offer?
In efforts to improve Montgomery’s public school system, charter schools are being launched to act as a model in helping the traditional schools improve, as well as lead to better education. Along with the integration of new charter schools in the area, the school board is also considering converting several of the lower-performing traditional schools into charter schools.

PUBLIC SCHOOL CHARTS
Below are the explanations for each of the categories listed in the school report cards. These numbers are reported annually by the Alabama State Department of Education.

Enrollment: Average number of students attending school after Labor Day

Free/Reduced Price Meals: Percentage of students who applied for and were approved for free or reduced price meals. This is an indicator of poverty in certain areas.

ELA Proficiency: Percentage of proficient students in the areas of reading and ELA utilizing assessments in tested grades.

Math Proficiency: Percentage of individual students who demonstrate proficiency in math.

Chronic Absenteeism: Percentage of students having 15 or more absences in a given school year.

Source: https://reportcard.alsde.edu/OverallScorePage.aspxReportYear=2021&SystemCode=051&SchoolCode=0000

Bellingrath Middle School

3350 South Court St • (334) 269-3623
Along with E.D. Nixon Elementary, Bellingrath Middle became a premier charter school with the support of the Montgomery Education Foundation (MEF) and Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA). At , they believe that with the right education, scholars can fulfill their tremendous innate potential and become leaders in their communities and the world.

Davis Elementary

3605 Rosa Parks Ave • (334) 269-3662
was converted to a charter school in 2021. Phalen Leadership Academies will serve the students and families at School as well as the Montgomery community with the goal of supporting the scholars at Davis in outperforming their peers and making Davis one of the strongest charters in the state.

E.D. Nixon Elementary

1000 Edgar D Nixon Ave • (334) 269-3012
Nixon became a premier charter school in 2022 with the support of the Montgomery Education Foundation (MEF) and Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA). Their goal is to work together with parents and the community to improve the educational outcomes of Montgomery scholars and neighborhood families. Nixon exists to serve the local community and create a safe and thriving space for scholars to feel loved, empowered, and encouraged through quality education.

LEAD Academy

2897 Eastern Blvd • (334) 451-3127
As Montgomery’s first public charter, ’s vision is to build leaders by engaging students, focusing on high achievement, and developing the whole child to become knowledgeable, productive, well-rounded citizens.

LIFE Academy

2080 W Fairview Ave • (334) 315-0106
opened on the City of St. Jude campus, a 36-acre historic Montgomery site that once included a private Catholic school. The charter school opened in fall 2021 and serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Montgomery Public School Accomplishments

• District Report Card Improvements

MPS increased its overall score from 74 (C) to 75 (C) for the 2024–2025 school year, with gains in academic achievement, growth, graduation rate, college and career readiness, and reduced chronic absenteeism. Ten schools improved their overall letter grade.

• Three MPS Schools Ranked Among Alabama’s Best

Three MPS elementary schools earned top state rankings from U.S. News & World Report:
Forest Avenue Academic Magnet ranked No. 1 in Alabama, Bear Exploration Center ranked No. 36, and MacMillan International Academy ranked No. 40—highlighting strong student performance and dedicated school communities.

• Superintendent Student Advisory Council Introduced

MPS introduced the 2025–2026 Superintendent Student Advisory Council, a diverse group of student leaders sworn in by Superintendent Dr. Byrd. Representing schools across the district, members will share feedback, propose ideas, and partner with district leadership to strengthen the student experience.

• Launch of Stronger Together: The MPS Podcast & MPSNow Newscast

MPS has launched two new platforms designed to bring our schools and community even closer: the Stronger Together: The MPS Podcast and the MPSNow Newscast. These new storytelling spaces highlight the voices, programs, and successes that make our schools stronger and celebrate the partnerships that support our students every day.

https://www.mps.k12.al.us/page/stronger-together-the-mps-podcast

• Student Authors Celebrated at YAWP Book Launch

MPS celebrated students recognized at the ASU GEAR UP and Connell School of Writing’s YAWP Book Launch. The student-written book, Something Better, features essays from 10th and 11th graders at four MPS high schools addressing community challenges and solutions.

Montgomery’s Magnet Schools

Montgomery Public Schools’ magnet programs are highly competitive programs that cover all grade levels with themes including technology, performing arts, and accelerated academics. Each year, the number of openings varies from school to school, with the most open slots available in kindergarten.

Each school has different entrance criteria. If a student meets the criteria they are then selected by a random selection process. Only one application should be submitted per year. Contact the magnet schools for program descriptions and entry requirements.

For more information, visit www.mps.k12.al.us

Elementary Magnet Programs (Grades K-5)

Bear Exploration Center

(334) 284-8014 • 2525 Churchill Dr

Principal: Nina Williams
Emphasis: Math, science, and technology

Carver Elementary and Arts Magnet

(334) 269-3625 • 3100 Mobile Dr

Principal: Angela Sampson
Emphasis: Performing and visual arts

Forest Avenue Academic Magnet

(334) 269-3673 • 1700 W Fifth St

Principal: Brandi Moody
Emphasis: Accelerated academics

MacMillan International Academy

(334) 284-7137 • 4015 McInnis Rd

Principal: Rosalyn Brown
Emphasis: Humanities, communications, and technology

Middle School Magnet Programs (Grades 6-8)

Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet

(334) 269-3870 • 410 S McDonough St

Principal: Kimberly Copeland
Emphasis: Accelerated academics and technology; Performing and visual arts

Floyd Middle Magnet School

(334) 284-7130 • 215 Hall St
Principal: Terrence Thomas (Interim)
Emphasis: Collective Efficacy

High School Magnet Programs

Booker T. Washington Magnet High

(334) 269-3617 • 3315 Hayneville Rd

Principal: Quesha Starks
Emphasis: Creative and performing arts, communication arts, technology, law, air and space studies

Brewbaker Technology Magnet High

(334) 284-7100 • 4405 Brewbaker Dr

Principal: Jason Norred
Emphasis: Architecture/engineering, commerce, graphic design, information technology, medical sciences

Loveless Academic Magnet Program High

(334) 284-7500 • 3440 McGehee Rd

Principal: Aurelio Harrison
Emphasis: College preparatory

Montgomery Public Schools Career Academies are programs offered beginning in middle school that help students acquire the skills they need to fulfill college or technical school entrance requirements, receive industry certification, or immediately move into the workforce after graduation.

Students have the flexibility to explore programs of study in fields such as advanced manufacturing, hospitality and tourism, information technology, business, public safety, and more.

These programs combine hands-on technical training with core academic classes and project-based instruction in small learning communities, designed to reflect the real-world environments students will work in.

Career tech students gain practical career experience through internships with local businesses, dual enrollment opportunities with two and four-year institutions, and interaction with professionals in the fields they are interested in. For more information, call the MPS Career Tech Office at 334-269-3613.

MPACT

(334) 613-9177 • 2901 East South Blvd

Principal: Kendrick Britford
Emphasis: Career tech
Founded in 2012, the Montgomery Preparatory Academy for Career Technologies () offers highly skilled training in high-paying technical fields such as building science and construction management, electrical technology, HVAC, welding and metal fabrication, coding, and advertising design. In 2016, the school added medical science and industrial systems.

New Pilot Program at Maxwell Elementary/ Middle School
The Department of Defense Education Activity recently launched a four-year pilot program for open enrollment in early June 2021 at Maxwell Elementary/ Middle School for children of full-time, active-duty military who live beyond the Maxwell Air Force Base or Gunter Annex installation gates.