The Alabama Public Charter School Committee has once again turned down the proposal from Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School (AAHS) for opening a campus in Birmingham. This marks the second rejection of the initiative within a year.
During the August 11 meeting, the commissioner voted against the application, raising concerns about issues like student registration, retention, and a lack of clear demand from the community. This decision aligns with a previous denial from the Birmingham Board of Education, as reported by Alabama Reflector.
Related: The Birmingham Board of Education has also rejected applications from Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High Schools.
Founded in Bessemer in 2022, AAHS targets students in grades 9 through 12, offering courses in aviation, aerospace, and other STEM subjects. Its inaugural graduating class consisted of just 13 students. Last year, enrollment peaked at 146, which is significantly below the expected 365 students when the school first opened.
The founder, Reuben Morris, aimed to partner with Birmingham Southern College, enhancing academic offerings and introducing classes on artificial intelligence. He mentioned that over 80 families have shown interest in the Birmingham campus.
However, some commissioners were not convinced that this number justified opening a new campus. Concerns were expressed that resources might be stretched too thin between Birmingham and the original Bessemer location, which is already grappling with student retention challenges. Commissioner Sharon Porterfield noted that 80 potential students fall far short of their registration goals, while Commissioner Cynthia McCarthy suggested that dividing resources could hinder growth and stability at Bessemer School.
Related: Bessemer Aerospace and Aviation Charter Schools are set to open.
Morris pointed out that resignation issues often arose when students were not accepted into the flight training program or felt they didn’t fit in with the school’s culture. Furthermore, he cited restrictions at the Bessemer facilities, where upper floors and portable classrooms are off-limits.
Birmingham schools voiced their opposition to the proposed plan. District Representative Cedric Tatum told the committee that the proposal had significant flaws in educational strategy, operations, and financial planning, adding that parents and community members were absent from the project hearings.
This latest decision follows a resolution from May 12, 2025, when the committee formally rejected AAHS’s initial appeal to establish a Birmingham campus. This outcome has encouraged schools to enhance their proposals for future applications.
