Education
Mobile’s growing business community counts on a strong, talented, and dedicated workforce. Abundant education programs ensure local residents have the skills area employers need. Among the most recognized state-led workforce training programs in the country, AIDT offers comprehensive pre-employment selection and on-the-job training specific to a qualifying company’s needs. In Mobile, AIDT operates the Alabama Aviation Training Center, AIDT Maritime Training Center, and the Erich Heine Learning Center.
Mobile is home to several colleges and universities. The largest is the University of South Alabama, with more than 16,000 students. Faulkner University, Spring Hill College and the University of Mobile are privately run.
There are also numerous community colleges, training centers, and apprenticeship programs, including Bishop State Community College, Alabama Aviation Center, and Coastal Alabama Community College. There were over 28,000 students enrolled in higher education in Fall 2019. In the spring of 2016, a new 25,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing training facility was announced to help the Alabama Community College System meet employer needs for skilled workers.
In addition to having the state’s largest Advanced Placement program, Mobile County Public Schools has 12 Signature Academies with career-oriented curriculums based on current and projected job openings. Included areas of focus are advanced information technology, aerospace, coastal studies, engineering, entrepreneurship, health, international studies, manufacturing, and maritime.
201 N. Craft Hwy., Chickasaw
251.452.2256
Chickasaw City Schools serves students in grades K-12 within the Chickasaw city limits with an early learning center, elementary, middle, and high school. In the fall of 2020, the system opened Alabama Destinations Career Academy (ALDCA) – an online statewide program of the Chickasaw City Schools providing students with an interactive and engaging learning experience. The academy serves students across the state in grades K-10.
1 Magnum Pass, Mobile
251.221.4000
Mobile County Public Schools has nearly 54,000 children, making it Alabama’s largest public school system. The system has two International Baccalaureate high schools, a magnet program serving students in K-8, and 14 National Blue Ribbon Schools, the highest award given by the U.S. Department of Education. The Callahan School for the Deaf and Blind and Augusta Evans Special School offer services to special-needs students. In 2021, Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies is open to grades 6-9 in downtown Mobile.
New students enrolling in a public school should bring their parent or legal guardian, a photo ID, two proofs of residence, and the student’s social security card, birth certificate, certificate of immunization, and report cards. Immunizations are required for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Rubella, Measles, and Mumps.
Any child who will be five or six years old on or before Sept. 1 is eligible for kindergarten or first grade, respectively.
There are three additional public school systems in Mobile County – Chickasaw, Saraland, and Satsuma.
Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
1255 Dauphin St., Mobile
251.441.2100
The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science attracts some of the brightest high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from all parts of the state and offers outreach programs for local students and schools.
The area has a large parochial school system operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile. Many other schools are operated through churches or private boards, including Mobile’s only charter school ACCEL Day and Evening Academy is operated by the Mobile Area Education Foundation. In all, there are more than 40 private and denominational schools in Mobile. Mobile Chamber-member private and parochial schools include:
Department of Catholic Education
352 Government St., Mobile
Cottage Hill Christian Academy
K – 5 ; 7355 Creekwood Dr., Mobile
6 – 12; 3100 Cottage Hill Rd., Mobile
Pre-K (3 & 4), K – 8
2103 Government St., Mobile
McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
Grades 9 – 12
1501 Old Shell Road, Mobile
K – 12
5900 Cottage Hill Rd., Mobile
Renaissance School of the Eastern Shore
Pre-K – 10 grades
10526 County Rd. 64, Daphne
Pre-K – 12
3975 Japonica Lane, Mobile
Grades K – 8
107 N. Lafayette St., Mobile
Grades Pre-K – 12
161 Dogwood Lane, Mobile
Grades Pre-K – 12
65 N. Mobile St., Mobile
The Mobile area is home to several four-year institutions and two-year community colleges and career training establishments.
Alabama Aviation Center at Mobile
A Unit of Coastal Alabama Community College
1975 Avenue C, Mobile
Alabama Aviation Center at Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley trains students to work in aviation maintenance and avionics. It was the first two-year college to be designated as an official FAA Educational Resource Center. The facility accommodates 300 students.
Bishop State Community College
Bishop State Community College has four campuses and works with local industries to provide training programs for new and existing employees. In addition to university transfer programs, the college is expanding its technology training to match the needs of Mobile industries.
Main Campus
351 N. Broad St., Mobile
Carver Campus
414 Stanton Rd., Mobile
Southwest Campus
925 Dauphin Island Pkwy., Mobile
Baker-Gaines Central Campus
1365 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Mobile
Coastal Alabama Community College
1900 S. U.S. Hwy. 31, Bay Minette
A public two-year institution in Baldwin County, it has three campuses located in Bay Minette, Gulf Shores, and Fairhope.
3943 Airport Blvd., Mobile
Faulkner University maintains a campus in Mobile where students can attain associate degrees in most major subjects.
7033 Airport Blvd., Mobile
Fortis College offers a variety of programs in healthcare and air conditioning and refrigeration.
6300 Grelot Rd., Ste. G123, Mobile
MTI Business Solutions provides business training and computer training to individuals as well as to companies of all sizes.
828 Downtowner Loop W., Mobile
Remington College offers programs including medical technology, computer technology, and criminal justice.
4000 Dauphin St., Mobile
Spring Hill College, founded in 1830, is one of the nation’s oldest Jesuit institutions. Recognized as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the South, it offers graduate programs in business administration, theology, liberal arts, nursing, and education, as well as a Division for Lifelong Studies for adults wishing to further their education.
307 University Blvd., Mobile
The University of South Alabama has nearly 14,000 students at campuses in Mobile and Baldwin counties. The university offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs.
In healthcare, USA provides students with an exceptional medical education through the colleges of medicine, nursing, and allied health professions.
5735 College Parkway, Mobile
The University of Mobile is a private institution affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in over 40 areas of study.