For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 16,001 students in Athens, AL (there are 3 private schools, serving 963 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Athens, AL are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Athens, AL are Brookhill Elementary School, Julian Newman Elementary School and Johnson Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Athens, AL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Alabama public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Athens have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Alabama public schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Alabama public school average of 50% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Athens, AL (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Brookhill Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
320 Brookhill Dr
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6603
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6603
Gr: PK-3 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #22.
Julian Newman Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
601 S Clinton Street
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6630
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6630
Gr: PK-3 | 409 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Johnson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
21360 Hwy 251
Athens, AL 35613
(256) 233-6665
Athens, AL 35613
(256) 233-6665
Gr: PK-5 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #44.
Athens Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
515 N Madison St
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6609
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6609
Gr: PK-3 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #55.
Athens Renaissance School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
405 South Street East
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 614-3708
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 614-3708
Gr: K-12 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
Blue Springs Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
16787 Hardy Road
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 729-4092
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 729-4092
Gr: PK-5 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #77.
Athens Intermediate School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1916 Us Hwy 72 W
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 230-2880
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 230-2880
Gr: 4-5 | 641 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #88.
East Limestone High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
15641 E Limestone Rd
Athens, AL 35613
(256) 233-6660
Athens, AL 35613
(256) 233-6660
Gr: 6-12 | 1,216 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #99.
Athens Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Hwy 31 North
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6620
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6620
Gr: 6-8 | 935 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1010.
James L Cowart Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1701 W Hobbs St
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6627
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6627
Gr: PK-3 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1111.
Athens High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
655 Hwy 31 North
Athens, AL 35612
(256) 233-6613
Athens, AL 35612
(256) 233-6613
Gr: 9-12 | 1,278 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1212.
Clements High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7730 Highway 72 W
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 729-6564
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 729-6564
Gr: 6-12 | 525 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1313.
Alabama Connections Academy
(Math: 8% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
21465 Al Hwy 99
Athens, AL 35614
(256) 233-6463
Athens, AL 35614
(256) 233-6463
Gr: K-12 | 7,822 students Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: n/an/a
Limestone County Area Vocational Technology
Vocational School
505 E Sanderfer Rd
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6463
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6463
Gr: 10-12
Rank: n/an/a
455 Us Highway 31 North
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 771-0752
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 771-0752
Gr: 4-12 | 350 students Student-teacher ratio: 44:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Athens, AL?
The top-ranked public schools in Athens, AL include Brookhill Elementary School, Julian Newman Elementary School and Johnson Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Athens?
15 public schools are located in Athens.
What percentage of students in Athens go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Athens are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Athens?
Athens public schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Alabama public schools average of 50% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Athens are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Athens include: James L Cowart Elementary School vs. Brookhill Elementary School, Julian Newman Elementary School vs. Brookhill Elementary School, Brookhill Elementary School vs. James L Cowart Elementary School
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