The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences is preparing to open Aug. 13 after naming a new head of school, reaching its inaugural enrollment goal and holding orientation for its first class of students.
The school’s Board of Trustees Executive Committee named Laura Bailey Head of School during a meeting last week.
“Laura Bailey has been instrumental in building ASHS from the ground up,” ASHS Board of Trustees Chair Mike Warren said. “As we approach opening day, there is no one better prepared to lead this school, support its students and carry forward the mission that has inspired so many families across Alabama.”
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Jimmy Martin, the school’s president, recently stepped away from day-to-day operations following his mother’s death and to address family matters, according to the school. The school said Martin continues to support the institution.
Officials said ASHS met its enrollment goal of around 85 students, including incoming ninth graders and a smaller group of incoming sophomores. The students come from 51 Alabama cities, according to the school.
When the school eventually serves grades nine through 12, officials hope to enroll about 100 students in each grade.
Students and families attended an orientation June 10, where they met faculty and staff and learned about the school’s academic programs and residential life.
According to information on the ASHS website, students will take required courses in English, math, science and social studies, along with healthcare-focused courses including computer science in healthcare, career readiness in healthcare professions, and medical research and writing.
Two pathways
The school will offer two biomedical science pathways. An accelerated pathway will include Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses and is intended for students planning to pursue competitive university programs and advanced healthcare professions.
A comprehensive pathway will offer the same healthcare focus with a more balanced academic workload and additional support. It is intended for students interested in college, technical programs and allied health fields such as radiology, respiratory therapy and laboratory technology.
The school will operate temporarily on the University of West Alabama campus in Livingston in Sumter County until its permanent 10-acre campus in Demopolis is completed. School officials said the permanent campus is on track to open in summer 2027.
ASHS will be Alabama’s fourth public, tuition-free residential specialty school and the first devoted entirely to healthcare education.
The other schools are the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in Mobile and the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering in Huntsville.
Leaders of the four schools recently attended the signing of a resolution establishing a consortium to share information, develop partnerships and collaborate on best practices.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Trisha Powell Crain and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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