About Opelika City Schools

Opelika City Schools serves over 5,000 students and is fully accredited by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. Rooted in our mission to "Educate Every Child, Every Day," we are committed to providing a high-quality, student-centered education that prepares all learners for meaningful and successful lives.

A Purposeful Journey from Kindergarten to Graduation

Every step of a student’s journey in Opelika City Schools is intentionally designed to build upon the last. Our primary and intermediate schools lay the academic and social-emotional foundations that support success in middle school, where students begin engaging with more complex content and various exploratory courses that complement the core curriculum.

Academic Foundations and Enrichment

We prioritize foundational reading and math skills while enriching instruction through arts, music, and STEM education. Technology is integrated at all grade levels to provide immersive, real-world learning experiences that make content more relevant and engaging.

Our STEM curriculum begins in kindergarten, fostering early development of critical thinking and problem-solving through hands-on, project-based learning. As students move into middle school, they continue to build on these foundations through electives that support their interests and expand their readiness for the rigor and opportunities available in high school.

High School Pathways

At Opelika High School, students have access to a wide range of academic opportunities, including:

• Advanced Placement (AP) courses
• Dual Enrollment with Southern Union State Community College, Auburn University, Auburn University Montgomery, and the University of Alabama
• Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs in Agriculture, Engineering, Culinary Arts, Health Sciences, IT, Education, Marketing & Finance, Education & Training, and Video Production.

CTE programs play a vital role in helping students explore career interests and develop hands-on skills that prepare them for life after graduation. For example, the Health Sciences Department features a full-scale classroom ambulance, giving students real-world EMT training experiences. Students also collaborate with community healthcare partners to enhance their learning.

The Culinary Arts Department includes a state-of-the-art industrial kitchen where students gain experience in food preparation, safety, and service. The program recently launched a full-service food truck that allows students to apply their skills in real time by serving food selections at Opelika High School events and throughout the local community.

Students can also take Alabama Career Essentials (ACE), a course designed to support career readiness with modules in Technology Basics, Communication, FDIC, Workplace Behaviors, Problem-Solving, and Job Preparation to align classroom learning with workforce needs in Opelika.

Beyond academics, Opelika High School students thrive in various arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Course offerings include video production, publishing, guitar, theatre, art, choir, show choir, band, horticulture, culinary, engineering, information technology, and health sciences. These encourage students to explore their interests and develop diverse talents.

Relationships at the Heart of Learning
Most importantly, Opelika City Schools is defined by the strength of our relationships. Our educators are highly qualified, deeply committed, and personally invested in helping every child reach their full potential, whether that path leads to college or career.

We are proud to continue a long-standing tradition of excellence and innovation in education by empowering students today, for success tomorrow.

To explore each of our campuses, including school locations, leadership, and contact information, visit the Our Schools section below.