About Advent

The word “advent” denotes a beginning, and that’s our focus – building a strong foundation for a lifetime of adventure and curiosity.

Our Mission

At Advent Episcopal School, we provide students with a superior education in a caring, Christian environment to prepare them for a life of learning, leadership, and service.

Advent is a traditional school with a rigorous and advanced academic curriculum providing the space and capacity for innovation. We believe each child is unique and in a constant process of change so we involve students in the total learning process by engaging their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being to meet high standards. Students are encouraged through varied educational approaches to question, challenge, and explore in their discovery of knowledge and truth.

Advent is small by design, allowing us to ensure that all students are loved, supported, and known—both for who they are now and who they are yet to become. Our school community of faculty, staff, students, and parents fosters a feeling of family that encourages personal growth and helps children develop a strong sense of responsibility and a positive sense of self.

With students and faculty from every corner of Birmingham and representing varied and diverse backgrounds, our school is a true reflection of our community. Advent strives to cultivate a respectful and appreciative spirit of excellence. We believe in unity, not uniformity, and in the unique worth and beauty of all human beings as creations of a loving, gracious God.

A young African American girl wearing a pink shirt on a playground swing set, smiling and looking up.

Adult and child looking through a microscope at a table with books and potted plants.

Our Educational Philosophy

The school staff believes that each child is unique and is in a constant process of change. Because of this, the mental development of each child cannot be isolated from the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The individual child should be exposed to and involved in the total learning process—thinking, planning, and problem-solving.

To fully develop the potential of each child, the school staff seeks and uses the best methods and materials available in each area of learning, believing that all areas of learning should be related to and interwoven with a student’s every experience. To assist in the continuing growth of each child, Advent teachers employ varied learning concepts and provide an atmosphere of enthusiasm for learning. Further, we believe that a continuing evaluation of the learning process of each child in relation to the school program is essential.

This Episcopal school is committed to the education of students in a Christian atmosphere and to fulfilling its responsibilities to the community by providing qualified, experienced teachers and staff and a balanced curriculum. The staff strives to make total involvement in education a bond between the school, the teacher, the student, and the parent. The student enrollment is limited to provide individual attention and instruction.

With smaller class sizes, a growth-oriented structure, and a strong commitment to academics, we will give your child an extraordinary foundation for success.

Learn more about our academic program.

Young woman with long wavy hair in a church, participating in a religious ceremony, holding a candle, with stained glass windows in the background.

A stone building is framed by green and red leaves in the foreground, with a pitched roof visible at the top.

Our Faith

Our teaching flows out of our belief in the unique worth and beauty of all human beings as creations of a loving, gracious God.

We are committed to the education of students in a Christian environment and to fulfilling its responsibilities to the community by providing qualified, experienced teachers and staff and a balanced curriculum. Visit our Chapel page to learn more about our weekly Chapel service.

We proudly welcome students and families of all faith backgrounds into our school community. If you have questions about what this may look like for your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Learn more about our admission process.

Our Story

Featured

1950

Founded and Led by Mrs. Ouida McWhorter, Advent Episcopal School began in the basement of the Cathedral Church of the Advent with a small group of seven students. Committed to providing an exceptional education in a Christian environment, our small school in the heart of downtown Birmingham was born. Over the next 18 years, the school would grow with the needs of the community and through the faithfulness of Mrs. McWhorter and members of the church.

1966

The school served students in 4-year-old kindergarten (pre-kindergarten) through the third grade. Graduating students were largely matriculating to their local public schools at that time and were greeted with enthusiasm as their teachers noted how well-prepared Advent students were compared to many of their peers. Over the next couple of years, older grades continued to be added as demand increased from committed school parents.

1969

The fate of Advent would change forever. As the school considered an effort to become the first accredited elementary school in Alabama, the church Rector, Rev. Hugh Agricola reached out to a young, accomplished educator he knew from North Alabama, Mrs. Una Battles. Mrs. Battles’ husband had taken a job in Birmingham and Rev. Agricola convinced Mrs. Battles to spend just a year helping the school go through its accreditation process.

1970

Mrs. Battles assumed the role of headmistress in 1970 - a position she held for the next 43 years. Over her four and a half decades of leadership, Advent expanded its program to the 8th grade; was at the forefront of integrating art, music, and French into the regular curriculum for its students; and established itself as one of the premier K-8, independent schools, not only in Alabama but in the southeast. Holding herself, her faculty, and her students to the highest of standards, Mrs. Battles demonstrated immense care and commitment to her work.

2013

Following Mrs. Battles’ retirement in 2013, Mr. Palmer Kennedy served as head of school from 2013 until 2021. During his tenure, the school expanded its athletic program, underwent renovations throughout the facility, and began a junior pre-kindergarten program.

2021

Following Mr. Kennedy’s tenure, Mrs. Claire Cassady Vaughn ‘03 was named head of school. Having attended Advent from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, Mrs. Vaughn’s intimate understanding and love of the school guide us as we reflect on where we have been, where we are, and where we can go together!

Today

Advent Episcopal School is proud to serve over 225 students from more than 40 different zip codes in our junior pre-kindergarten through 8th-grade program. Students continue to benefit from high-quality instruction from teachers who know and love them. Art, music, and French are still critical elements of our school curriculum and we are excited to have new programs and initiatives, including Discover Bham, our survey of science course, Flex classes, and so much more!

Our Promise to You

At Advent, your family is our family, so we do everything we can to ensure your child is prepared for the future.

A young girl with dark hair in pigtails, wearing a white shirt with pastel splotches, sitting at a classroom desk smiling, with another student next to her and classroom supplies visible in the background.

Individualized Learning

No two children are the same. So, why are curriculums focused on the average student? Thanks to Advent's smaller class sizes, our teachers are able to assess and accommodate your child's individual strengths and weaknesses. We ensure your child is challenged but not overwhelmed and always well-prepared to take the next step.

A young boy with brown hair and blue eyes looks at a large globe on a school desk.

Unity Not Uniformity

Our student body and faculty come from all backgrounds and walks of life, enabling your child to learn from those who see the world differently. This creates a complete, 360-degree education experience that gives them understanding and empathy far beyond textbook knowledge.

A woman and a young girl standing together on a sidewalk, smiling. The woman is crouched down next to the girl, holding her hands. They are outdoors with parked cars in the background.

Education Beyond the Classroom

We understand that true, life-changing education happens outside of the traditional classroom walls. Our central downtown campus allows us to offer a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities so your child will have a depth of experience and skills they can’t learn sitting at a desk.

A young girl with a pink headband and yellow shirt sitting at a desk in a classroom, focused on writing in a notebook. In the background, other students are also sitting at desks, with colorful classroom decorations on the walls.

Peace of Mind for the Future

"How do I know my child is ready for high school?"
This question weighs heavily on every parent. Our proven curriculum and rigorous educational environment have shown -- time and time again – that every student who walks through our doors will have the knowledge and skills necessary to lead the way in high school and beyond.

Group of Advent Episcopal School faculty and staff posing on the steps of Advent Episcopal Church in Downtown Birmingham with stone columns, smiling and dressed in business casual attire.

Meet Our Team

Meet Our Board Of Trustees

Meet Our Faculty and Staff

Portrait of a Graduate

The Advent Experience provides an intentional integration of a rigorous curriculum with space for students to exercise their natural curiosity and inquisitiveness. This process allows students to apply critical thinking and problem-solving in an environment that fosters respect for the opinions and ideas of others.

Learn more about our program.