A Birmingham charter is Alabama’s first to receive this award for getting kids ready for college

I3 Academy Middle School has officially made history, becoming the first charter school in Alabama to be honored with the prestigious A+ College Ready’s School of Excellence Award.

A Growing Legacy of Academic Success

Part of the I3 Academy network, which operates three tuition-free public charter schools across the Birmingham area, the middle school earned this top distinction from the A+ Education Partnership program. This initiative is dedicated to elevating academic standards and outcomes for middle and high school students throughout the state.

Reflecting on the milestone, I3 Academy Middle School Principal Enjuli Alexis said, “Being recognized as the first charter school in Alabama to achieve this distinction is truly an incredible accomplishment. I am immensely proud of our students and deeply grateful for the collective dedication of our middle school faculty and staff, whose unwavering commitment to excellence continues to make achievements like this possible.”

From Humble Beginnings to State Excellence

I3 Academy first opened its doors in 2020, launching during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At its inception, it stood as the state’s largest charter, welcoming 420 students in grades kindergarten through fifth within the Woodlawn community. The network later expanded in 2021 with the opening of the I3 Academy Middle School in East Lake, followed by a high school campus on the Jefferson State Community College Birmingham site in 2023. Today, the network supports 935 enrolled students.

Raising the Bar

The A+ Education Partnership focuses on driving policy improvements in public education and preparing students for future success through programs like A+ College Ready, which emphasizes Advanced Placement opportunities. This specific award recognizes eighth-grade students at I3 Academy Middle School for exceeding program benchmarks on the PSAT.

“This award was the result of a staff who delved even more deeply into rigorous instruction, held higher expectations for students, and collaborated effectively,” said Dilhani Uswatte, I3 Academy’s chief academic officer. “Congratulations to I3 Middle School students, staff, and administration; you bring pride to the I3 family.”