Dear parents and community members,

Welcome to Birmingham City Schools! We are glad that you have taken the opportunity to visit our website and learn more about our school system.  In the 2010-2011 school year, we saw the beginning of many new initiatives, the expansion and enhancement of many existing program and the planning for an even more exciting future. These efforts will serve to enhance the academic opportunities and developmental experiences for both students and staff alike and will continue to result in the forward momentum of the school district, the renewed trust and support of our stakeholders and an opportunity for the community to join our efforts in building a world-class school system.

Recognizing the importance of a solid education foundation, we are becoming a true professional learning community, placing emphasis on student learning and outcomes that determine and enhance the work being done by our teachers, administrators and support staff. These efforts increase the communication, collaboration and support around our core business - teaching and learning. 

This year, we embark on the year of planning in the development of career academies across our high schools. Those academies include hospitality and tourism, business and finance, architecture and design, urban educators, engineering and health science.  In addition, BCS offers 13 0f 16 nationally offered career pathways, as we strive to successfully prepare students to be career and college ready.

We are also in the candidacy phase of primary, middle years and diploma International Baccalaureate programs in the district. These programs will add to the "diverse portfolio of educational offerings" in the Birmingham City Schools.  We also continue to increase the number of Advanced Placement (AP) offerings, strengthen our curriculum K-12 and add pre-kindergarten students to increase students' preparedness entering school. 

BCS is also in the final stages of the completion of a $22 million technology refresh that will also aid in transforming our schools and classrooms into 21^st century learning centers.

The Birmingham City School System continues to make tremendous progress, which will produce meaningful outcomes now and in the future.  Please continue to stay in touch and keep updated by signing up for our weekly newsletter or visiting us on Facebook.

Thank you for your support!

Dr. Craig Witherspoon