S Oak Dr
Birmingham, AL 35242

This school meets the testing requirements, but the school teachers are a hit and miss on whether you get a good one. There is a clique at this school and bullying is rampant, with no recourse because 9 times out of 10 the kid doing the bullying in a teacher kid, or someone on the sports team and it is covered up. The administration is rude, and act as though they are Gods. They treat the kids very harsh for minor things and then bring the hammer down for minor things. If you are a teachers kid, you can dress highly inappropriate in clear violation of dress code in lulu short skirts and crop tops, but if you aren’t lucky to be a teachers kid, then you will get sent home for a tear in your jeans above the knee. Events are always disorganized and there is no assistance, it’s a hunt and find out where you should be. You can go to the neighborhood pages and see all the parents who are disgusted with his school and have pulled their kids for private school or homeschool.

Excellent school with teachers who truly care about education as well as shaping the young men and women who attend. They take an interest in who they are inside and outside of the classroom. I am astounded when I go to piano recitals, sporting events, and Scout awards nights and see teachers there, on their off days, supporting these kids. I hear about the teachers who open their classrooms to students before and after school and during their free periods. What a great example of being not just a teacher but a mentor!Great choice of AP classes, out of the ordinary electives, many clubs, and sports available. There truly is something for every interest. Dual enrollment is also offered with the local community college. Technical school is an encouraged choice as well.COVID rules have been instituted as needed. They did a GREAT job of limiting COVID exposure even at the height of the spread while still allowing families to choose between in person or remote schooling.I've been so impressed with nearly everything at Chelsea. So many more opportunities than other schools I hear about through other parents. A free computer for every kid is unheard of elsewhere. Learning trips to DC, Florida, Spain, etc, while not attainable for all financially, are available. Additional fundraising for these never being offered would be my only complaint. It would be great if all the students who want to go and are willing to work hard could earn at least some of the funds through fundraising assisted by the school/county/faculty. With that said, a scholars bowl group from Chelsea won their local and state competition and were headed to the national competition. They were allowed to send letters requesting financial support from community members. One of the faculty sponsored the kids to travel to Kentucky for a week to compete. The school is in a great community that supports them! My son says the school does not have a bad problem with cliques or bullying. I haven't heard of any issues with those at least as long as he has been at t ht e school.

We are now homeschooling. My child didn't seem to measure up to the teacher’s expectations. We needed a break from the constant critical environment.