Birmingham City Schools (BCS) has emerged as a statewide leader in mathematics recovery following the academic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a major new study of 8,000 school districts across 30 U.S. states.
Alabama stands out nationally as the only state where students’ average mathematics proficiency has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and BCS leads all districts in the state for math recovery. Among large urban districts nationwide, Birmingham ranks seventh — a remarkable turnaround that reflects years of strategic reform.
“This is a testament to the hard work of our educators, students, parents, and the unwavering support of our school board,” said Dr. Mark Sullivan, Superintendent of Birmingham City Schools, at a press conference on Tuesday. “We’ve built a system that responds to students’ needs and prioritises academic excellence.”
Sullivan highlighted several key strategies behind the district’s progress, including intersessions — optional instructional weeks offered between grading periods — and a robust focus on wraparound services, intensive tutoring, and student wellness. These measures were designed not only to boost academic performance, but also to address socio-emotional challenges affecting learning.
The district also celebrated achieving its highest-ever score from the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) and reported the lowest number of failing schools since the program’s inception. Just a few years ago, 15 Birmingham schools were rated as failing under the state’s A-F report card system. That number has now been reduced to just seven.
“This didn’t happen overnight,” said Sullivan. “We looked at where we were several years ago and realised we had some serious work to do. But through data-driven instruction, strong leadership, and targeted interventions, we’ve made real, measurable progress.”
Parents, teachers, and the broader community have all played a role in the recovery. “It’s been a collective effort,” Sullivan added. “We’re proving that urban public education can deliver results with the right vision and investment.”
As Birmingham continues its academic resurgence, the district now aims to expand its successful model into literacy and science proficiency, to become a national example for equitable education reform.
