New Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences breaks ground, scheduled to open in 2027

Just over a year after being announced, the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences (ASHS) officially broke ground Tuesday in Demopolis.

The groundbreaking was held at a 10-acre lot on South Cedar Avenue, bringing local, state + national leaders together to celebrate the occasion including Gov. Kay Ivey.

“This school represents more than bricks and mortar. It is fresh potential for our young people and a milestone in addressing healthcare needs here in Alabama.”

Gov. Kay Ivey

ASHS will be a residential campus, hoping to draw students from across all of Alabama. It will also become the fourth free, state-supported residential specialty school under the Alabama State Department of Education, joining high-performing programs in fine arts, math/science and cyber technology/engineering.

Keep reading to learn more details from Tuesday’s event + what to expect when the school opens.

Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences

ASHS will welcome its first freshman class at a temporary campus on the grounds of the University of West Alabama in Livingston in August 2026 while construction proceeds in Demopolis toward an August 2027 opening.

Students will live and learn together in a residential environment, emphasizing hands-on training, industry-recognized certifications and direct access both to higher education and immediate healthcare careers.

The Demopolis campus site is located next to Whitfield Regional Hospital which will serve as ASHS’s primary medical partner.

Bloomberg Philanthropies has committed $26.4 million to ASHS as part of its $250 million initiative to launch healthcare focused CTE high schools in 10 communities across the country.

It is the only school in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ national 10-school partnership being built entirely from the ground up.

“We are proud to support the bold vision of the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences. By giving students access to high quality instruction and clear career pathways, ASHS will help ensure that the next generation of healthcare professionals is well equipped to meet the demands of communities across the state and the country.”

Howard Wolfson, Education Lead for Bloomberg Philanthropies

Final decisions on healthcare focus areas and curriculum are expected soon but the school has already provided a layout of what future students + faculty can expect.

• Rigorous academic coursework integrated with healthcare-focused learning
• Opportunities to earn college credit through dual enrollment partnerships
• Exposure to pre-med, biomedical science, nursing, informatics and allied health fields
• Emphasis on critical thinking, communication and teamwork — essential for healthcare careers
• Graduates will be ready to enter the workforce or pursue advanced study with meaningful credentials

Admissions will be open to rising high school freshmen. The application process is already open which includes an online submission with references from teachers + an interview phase.

While there will be no tuition, there are some fees for each student + there will be financial assistance available.

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