Birmingham Mom Collective had the privilege recently to talk with Dr. Jonathan Gray, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs at Indian Springs School in Birmingham, to learn why Indian Springs might just be the perfect private education opportunity for your family. Students at Indian Springs receive not just a quality classroom instruction, but are prepared for a life beyond high school. Learn more at their open house event on October 6.
Conveniently located in Pelham, just south of Birmingham, Indian Springs serves over 340 students in eighth through twelfth grades as both a day school and a boarding school. Niche named Indian Springs School the “Best Private High School in Alabama,” one of the top 100 “Best Private High Schools in America,” the “Top Boarding School in Alabama,” as well as the “Best High School for STEM in the Birmingham Area.”
Nurturing Students In Nature
With over 350 beautiful acres of campus (that borders Oak Mountain State Park no less!) combined with the light-filled classrooms, patios, and shared spaces, it’s no wonder students don’t want to leave once the academic day concludes. A canoe ride in the lake or perusing the organic garden would definitely keep me there!
Indian Springs offers over 120 courses (including 18 AP classes) as well as dozens of electives. The average teacher/student ratio is 8:1. There’s also independent study options that allow juniors and seniors to work one-on-one with faculty members.
Did you know Indian Springs offers a Makerspace Studio on campus that houses various collections of hands-on work areas including electronics, woodworking, kilns, a digital design lab, film editing equipment, and 3D printing? Students have a free period each school day for independent work and exploration in areas of interest. Sign me up!
Preparing for Life Beyond High School
Beginning in ninth grade, Amelia Johnson, Director of College Advising, meets with students to begin mapping out colleges and intentions after high school. She gets to know each student individually, putting each student’s success at the forefront. Students learn about transcripts, the importance of good study habits, extracurricular activity involvement, and standardized testing. These skills progress further each year of high school.
Not only do Indian Springs students get a great liberal arts foundation through their earlier coursework, there is intentional, increased flexibility in scheduling in a student’s later years that allows them to pursue their interests through independent studies, elective courses, capstone projects, and more.
Teachers can deeply connect with students in ways not available at larger schools. Faculty members are known to bring in university colleagues to help further studies and give students unique learning opportunities in fields such as robotics and the arts.
Commuter vs. Boarding Students
If you’re on the other side of Birmingham from Pelham and worry about the Highway 280 commute, don’t be! Did you know shuttle buses to Indian Springs run from various locations in our city: Downtown Birmingham, Forest Park, Mountain Brook Village, Crestline Village, and the Summit?
While most Birmingham students choose to commute to Indian Springs each day, rising juniors and seniors can apply to board as part of the Junior Scholars Program or Senior Scholars Program. It’s a safe, chaperoned way to adjust and prepare for the upcoming college experience.
Boarders learn independence and responsibility while having access to the many full-time faculty and staff members who live on campus. Roughly one-third of the student body and one-third of faculty members live on campus.
Dr. Gray is consistently amazed at how well students rise to the challenge and adjust to boarding. He remarked, “We often don’t give enough credit to kids for how independent and adaptable they can be!”
