Indian Springs School
Overview

Guided by our motto, Learning through Living, Indian Springs School has been educating ambitious and independent-thinking students since 1952. Our boarding and day program brings together a dynamic and vibrant cohort of 295 students in grades 8-12 from Birmingham, Alabama, across the United States, and around the world. Campus is located fifteen miles south of Birmingham and combines access to the best of metropolitan living with the beauty and security of a small-town setting. With over 350 acres at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, our campus includes state-of-the-art learning and performing arts facilities, residential halls, athletic fields, a lake, an organic garden, and endless opportunities for learning and growing. Our Core Values of Innovative Thinking, Intellectual Curiosity, Integrity, Inclusion, Infinite Respect, and Involvement are the foundation of an Indian Springs education. We aim to connect, value, and include young people whose origins, identities, beliefs, and experiences reflect the rich and instructive diversity of our global society. Our graduates leave Indian Springs to attend some of the finest colleges and universities in the country and in the world, including Yale University, Princeton University, and Stanford University. Our Core Values of Innovative Thinking, Intellectual Curiosity, Integrity, Inclusion, Infinite Respect, and Involvement are the foundation of an Indian Springs education. We aim to connect, value, and include young people whose origins, identities, beliefs, and experiences reflect the rich and instructive diversity of our global society. Our graduates leave Indian Springs to attend some of the finest colleges and universities in the country and in the world, including Yale University, Princeton University, and Stanford University.
Academics
Summary: Indian Springs School is nationally and internationally known for its academic excellence. Based on our motto “Learning Through Living,” our unique school environment fosters academic excellence, participatory citizenship, independent thinking and self-advocacy in our students. Our graduates possess the skills, knowledge and personal strengths that enable them to gain acceptance and excel at the finest colleges and universities. Our unique community design enables students to be active participants in all aspects of the school’s operations and provides them the opportunity to make a substantive difference in the school and in the world.
Department Director Jonathan Gray
Student/Teacher Ratio: 8:1
Average Class Size: 16
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers: 38
Number of AP Courses Offered: 16
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 84%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 0
Noteworthy Information:
Winner of the 2009 Siemens Award for Math and Science AP. A 2009 Presidential Scholar award winner.
Learning Support
- Peer Tutoring
- Subject Tutoring
- Technology Center
- Writing Center
English
- Classics
- Creative Writing
- Honors
- Literature
- Playwriting
- Poetry
History
- European History
- United States History
- World History
Foreign Languages
- Chinese-Mandarin
- French
- Greek
- Latin
- Spanish
Sciences
- Anatomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Ecology
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Science
- Genetics
- Health
- Oceanography
- Physical Science
- Physics
- Physiology
- Sports Medicine
Math
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Geometry
- Honors Math
- Probability
- Statistics
- Trigonometry
Computer Studies
- Computer Applications
- Multimedia
- Computer Programming
- Computer Science
- Web Design
- Robotics
Music
- Choral Music
- Electronic Music
- Individual Instructions
- Music History
- Music Theory
- Orchestra
Performing / Visual Arts
- Acting
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Debate
- Directing
- Drama
- Drawing
- Graphic Design
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Publications
- Sculpture
- Stagecraft
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- 3-D Art
Special Programs
- Community Service
- Independent Study
- Leadership
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 2
Average Students Per Dorm: 45
Number of Girls Dorms: 0
Number of Boys Dorms: 0
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Wireless Internet
Other Dorm Amenities
Student Life
There is a clear structure to each day at Indian Springs School, but students don't feel "programmed." Students work with an advisor to select courses that are right for them. There are tons of extra-curricular activities, and students are welcome to try any or all of them … or to start a new one. Students work hard, but also know that it is okay to take a break and simply relax. In such an environment students get to know others -- and themselves -- better. At Indian Springs School, students will also meet peers from around the corner and around the world. Diversity is celebrated, and cliques are uncool. The school is always open, and you'll find day students coming to campus on the weekends to be with boarders, participate in activities and just hang out. The friendships that are formed here are the ones that last.
Facilities
- Baseball Field
- Basketball Court
- Fitness Center
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Sand Volleyball Court
- Technology Center
- Volleyball Court
Other Facilities
Lake
Clubs & Organizations
- Amnesty International
- Asian Club
- Astronomy Club
- Chess Club
- Community Service
- Computer Club
- Debate Club
- Diversity Club
- Dorm Proctors
- Environmental Club
- Foreign Language Clubs
- Gardening Club
- Habitat for Humanity
- International Club
- Literary Magazine
- Mock Trial
- Peer Tutoring
- Photography Club
- Quiz Bowl
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Theater Club
- Yearbook
- Yoga Club
- Young Democrats
- Young Republicans
Arts & Athletics
Summary: While the athletics program at Springs has won state championships in sports including tennis and soccer, the school is most proud of the way in which athletics helps students develop as people and citizens of the school community. In addition to Alabama High School Athletic Association-sanctioned sports, the school offers opportunities for students to take part in non-traditional sports such as fencing and ultimate frisbee. Another important of the school community is the arts, with offerings in music, theater and the visual arts. About 40% of the student body takes part in the school's choir, and the school's chamber choir tours internationally. The theater program takes on three productions per year, and strong visual arts and instrumental music programs round out arts offerings.
Arts Department Director: Clay Colvin
Athletics Department Director: Greg Van Horn
Notable Achievements: 2008 2014 & 2017 Boys Soccer State Champions 2008 Girls Soccer State Runner Up 2006 Tennis State Champions
Arts
- Acting
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Debate
- Directing
- Drama
- Drawing
- Graphic Design
- Painting
- Photography
- Portfolio
- Pottery
- Printmaking
- Publications
- Sculpture
- Stagecraft
- Studio Art
- Theater Arts
- 3-D Art
Interscholastic Sports
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Cross Country Running
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fencing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
- Rock Climbing
- Swimming
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Weight Lifting
Graduates
Summary: Indian Springs has a long history of helping our students find, evaluate, and successfully apply to great colleges and universities. Take a look at our college placement results, and you will discover what our graduates fully understand: Indian Springs strives to help each student find the match that best suits his or her needs. The formal College Advising process begins in the Junior year. This is a time of self-exploration. We encourage students to approach this discovery phase as young adults, to discover their passions, interests and talents, and to build upon their strengths and develop new ones. Parents are also actively engaged in the process. The Senior year distills a student’s abilities and college desires into a manageable list. Applications are completed, essays are written, teachers are asked for letters of recommendation, and final visitations are made. All along the way, our College Advising Office is actively supporting (and prodding) our students, even past the point where they sign the letter of intent. It marks the end of one journey, and the beginning of another.
College Information
Precentage of graduates who attend college: 100%
Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
---|---|---|---|
25th percentile | 600 | 590 | 620 |
75th percentile | 710 | 700 | 710 |
College attended in the past 5 years by our graduates:
Notable Alumni
C. Robert Henrikson
Class of 1955
Chairman of the Board President and Chief Executive Officer MetLife Inc.
Preston Haskell
Class of 1956
Part-owner Jacksonville Jaguars NFL franchise
John Badham
Class of 1957
Director “Saturday Night Fever ” “Blue Thunder ” “War Games” and other feature films
Russell Williams
Class of 1973
Architect Adobe’s Photoshop
Sally Nemeth
Class of 1977
Playwright screenwriter and novelist
Stuart Whitehurst
Class of 1979
Appraiser “Antiques Roadshow”
Michael McCullers
Class of 1989
Writer and director Baby Mama" and other feature films"
Daniel Alarcón
Class of 1995
Author War by Candlelight: Stories and Lost City Radio
John Green
Class of 1995
Author Looking for Alaska An Abundance of Katherines Paper Towns The Fault in Our Stars and Turtles All the Way Down
Quotes From Alumni
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 84
Total Day: 208
Total Enrollment: 292
Boys: 146
Girls: 146
Boarding Grades Offered: 8-12
Day Grades Offered: 8-12
School Type: Middle, High School
Dress Code: Casual
Applications Accepted: SAO
Application Deadline: February 15th
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $53,600
5-Day Boarding: N/A
Day Tuition Fee: $25,800
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 28%
Average Awarded: $29,700
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Not Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: %
Average Merit Scholarship: $
Current Endowment Amount: $12,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Gareth Vaughan
Admissions Phone: 205 332 0561
Fax: 205 988 3797
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.indiansprings.org
Nearby Schools
- Darlington School - 110mi / 177 km
- St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School - 139mi / 224 km
- McCallie School - 145mi / 234 km
- Brandon Hall School - 149mi / 240 km
- The Webb School (TN) - 157mi / 253 km
- Riverside Preparatory Academy - 182mi / 293 km






