Avondale Elementary School

4000 8th Court South

School District

Birmingham City
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Birmingham City School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 27, 2025

I’m puzzled by the rating Great Schools has given this school, as it is so far removed from the reality and the rising state report card grades. My children have attended Avondale since the wonderful First Class Pre-K program. The teachers, administrators, and community partners are all phenomenal. The beautiful building, teaching farm and tennis courts on site, slate of after-school clubs, and active parent community all make it a special place.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2021

The staff at the school is amazing. I love the community support for our school as well. It’s been a great school for our kids!
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2021

Our children have been at Avondale for 3 years and are having a great experience. Strong leadership, great teachers and a well rounded culture.If you are looking to go to a good neighborhood school, check it out!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2021

Really like the new leadership change that happened last year. Principal Seale has a good vision for the school and there have been so many changes already made, even in the midst of COVID that have been very positive. Everyday my son comes home and talks about how much he loves school! He told me the other day, “I never want to go to a different school”. Very happy that he goes to a diverse school where people look different from him and come from different backgrounds. Good solid engaged parent and community members. I really like his teacher this year too! He’s already grow two years in reading at this point in the year :)
Submitted by teacher on May 26, 2017

This environment is terrible for learning. Teachers are overloaded with responsibilities and do not have necessary resources to teach. Students constantly bully one another and fighting occurs regularly. In the classroom, there are constant disruptions from student behavior, the intercom, classroom visitors, etc.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2016

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Avondale Elementary. Principal Nelson has taken this school to the next level. The teachers are invested, the curriculum is appropriate, but challenging, and the parental involvement is unbelievable. As a parent and PTA member, I spend many hours in the school. It is so wonderful to see how the children interact with each other and how they respect each other. Just come to one of our programs and see the pride that these kids have!!!! It's amazing. My daughter will be moving on to 6th grade next year and I am so sad for her to leave AES. But, because of the commitment of her teachers, Ms. Casey, Ms. Shoulders and Ms. Brown, she will be attending Phillips Academy in the fall. So...don't let the test scores deter you from attending this wonderful school. We move our kids here 2 years ago from a private school and I will never regret it.
Submitted by other on February 02, 2014

My 3rd school Junior Pastors are Beatrice and Corey Farren First Young Ladies are Hannah and Lauren and Wendy Farren Principals are Mrs. Tanya Farren, Mr. Hubert Lathan, Miss Kendra Blacker, Mr. Lloyd Bowley Asst. Principals are Mr. Rupert Blacker, Mr. Sheridan Farren Sr., Ms. Leslie Lathan, Miss Ellie Harrison, Mrs. Wendie Wesley
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2013

Great school! The principal and staff are wonderful and they truly care about the kids. I love the new wave of parental involvement and the diversity. Individualized learning means that every child learns at his or her appropriate level at all times. The extra programs like the music, dance and art events are so wonderful and bring us together like a small town community within our metro area. Parents of childrens in Avondale, Crestwood and Forest Park - you are missing out on this great community school if you are choosing private school. Go visit, speak with the teachers, kids, parents and the principal. You won't regret it. And don't forget - free 4k as space allows is another fantastic benefit of Avondale Elementary.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2013

Avondale elementary school its a very nice school for the children. This will be my daughter first year of kindergarten, an I think I'm more excited than her. I'm really to get involved in school activities with her
Submitted by other on August 07, 2013

Others should know that Avondale Elem is dedicated to teaching all races of children in a capable, energetic way in a beautiful environment full of children's art, huge windows that let in light so that all areas of the school are bright and cheerful, an environment suited for happy learning, As a grandparent, I've attended a very impressive end of year school program as well as having observed teachers happily at workencouraging all ages to love to learn!
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2013

We just finished Kindergarten with our first child and couldn't be happier with her experience. Most importantly, I feel my child is as safe as anywhere when she is at Avondale. Her teacher was wonderful and the principal Dr. Curry takes great pride in making Avondale succeed. We had one small issue with another child and her teacher dealt with that situation immediately and proffesionally. They have a wonderful after school program as well. If parents will take the foundation this school provides and work with their child, they will no doubt succeed. The PTA is growing and the involvement of parents will continue to benefit Avondale. We are moving out of town and are honestly sad to see Avondale go.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2013

Parents I have been a at-home mom for over 10 years and I care very much for my children's well being. I came on greatschools and other websites to see how well they were doing. My advice to you go visit the school for yourself, speak to an administrator and do a tour of the facility. Because many of these good schools are ranked very low because of the district they are in, Avondale for one. Because some of the High Ranked schools didn't have the time or day to speak to a concerned, caring, active parent.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2012

I can't say enough great things about this school. My son started pre-k at Avondale Elementary in the fall, and the quality of his education has exceeded my expectations. He comes home with daily and weekly progress reports and assignments from his teacher. He truly enjoys going to school, and he has many new friends! When you walk through the halls, you will see students engaged with their teachers or working diligently at small learning stations. The walls are filled with current classwork and student artwork. The librarian is warm and helpful. The music teacher is amazing and dedicated. The principal has decades of experience and clearly loves her work. The faculty calls Avondale, "Heaven on the hill." This is a very special school!
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2012

Our son is in kindergarten at Avondale. DO NOT believe the bad press about this B'ham school! The teachers are great! The PTA is growing!
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2012

My son is in Kindergarten at Avondale Elementary and boy do we LOVE it! He has had an amazing introduction to "big kid school". He loves going to school everyday! Avondale is a clean, bright, diverse, positive environment. I was alarmed by the bad press Bham City Schools get but I can tell you the rumors are not true at Avondale. Wonderful staff! Dr. Curry, the principal, truly loves the children and runs a great school.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2012

We are new to Avondale Elementary so may yet add a 5th star. So far we are very pleased with the school, teachers, principal, and students. There is a lively new PTA group and our child LOVES this school. As a parent of a child with some mild special needs, we have found the Birmingham City Schools Special Ed department along with Avondale Elementary School to be shining jewels of the Birmingham City School System. Even better, unlike with some city schools Special Ed and IEP are carried out right on the Avondale campus. No bussing, etc. and the services can be administered right in class or down the hall with a minimum of missed class time, which is a BIG deal to us. As far as we're concerned- after having looked around quite a bit, we couldn't be happier than we are with Avondale Elementary School.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2012

Don't be alarmed by those test scores! AES, a Title 1 school, has consistently raised its test scores over the last few years. And, as we all know, test scores do not adequately meaare sure the success of a school. Avondale is a safe, nurturing, bright school with passionate faculty who care about the success of their students. There's also been recent energy brought in by a new wave of neighborhood parents. A lot of great things are happening at AES... the kind of things you want your family to be part of. If you don't believe me - walk inside. You'll see why current parents love it!
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2011

Avondale Elementary is the only school my son has attended that I have been completely happy with from the principal to the cafeteria.
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2011

I absolutely am head over heels in love Avondale Elementary. This was our first year in Birmingham & I was truly given the blues about Birmingham City Schools. Let me just say "BELIEVE NONE OF WHAT YOU HEAR, BE A WITNESS"! To my surprizes the Prinicple, Vice Principle, and Counselor were very interactive with the children in all grades. Mrs.Martin (3rd grade) is freaking phenomenal...my childs 3rd grade year was awesome. She gave parents the freedom to come in observe & learn with the children, the things that would be required of the children. We had 18 children in all, every grading period she had at least half the class being represented on "A" or "A/B"Honor Roll. The last report card all 18 students made Honor Roll! I love the outstanding job that Mrs Martin did with the children. She really takes pride in what she has CHOSEN to do...so has her other 3rd teaching cohorts. My child made honor roll everytime...if there is something to be said about Avondale Elementary it is "We expect great thing" and best believe they won't let you down. Parents we have to do our part in our children's educational process, because at Avondale Elementary they sure does theirs!