Parents looking for the best public schools to send their child to in Alabama have an updated guide to help make their decision.

Popular education ranking website Niche recently released its 2025 list of the places with the best public schools in Alabama. They graded each school based on key factors including academic performance, teacher quality, and diversity. These rankings offer insight for which schools are standing out across the state. You can read more about the methodology used here.

The top performing public schools are located in Homewood. The Homewood City Schools district includes Homewood Edgewood Elementary, Hall-Kent Elementary, Homewood High, Homewood Middle, and Shades Cahaba Elementary. The city received an A+ overall for its public schools.

Whether you’re a parent planning your next move or a student wanting to learn more about schools in the state, these rankings offer a snapshot of which Alabama public schools are excelling.

Here’s a look at the top 10 places in Alabama with the best public schools:

1. Homewood
2. Madison
3. Mountain Brook
4. Auburn
5. Hoover
6. Vestavia Hills
7. Trussville
8. Point Clear
9. Fairhope
10. Pelham

Madison claimed the second highest score behind Homewood. Madison received an A+ when it comes to its public schools, housing, family-friendliness and an A- for diversity. The city has also been ranked as the best place to live in Alabama, according to Niche.

The following cities also received an A+ Niche grade for public schools: Mountain Brook (#3), Auburn (#4), Hoover (#5), Vestavia Hills (#6), Trussville (#7), Point Clear (#8), and Fairhope (#9).

Pelham, which received an overall A+ grade, rounded out the top 10 with an A grade for its public schools. However, this Birmingham suburb also had an A when it comes to housing, family-friendliness, and diversity.

The Alabama cities with the worst public school ratings received a D+ or D grade from Niche. These include public schools in York, Livingston, Epes, Beatrice, and Vredenburgh.

Click here to see Niche’s complete rankings of Alabama public schools by city.