Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences holds first student recruitment meeting in Selma

The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences held its first information session this week in Selmato recruit high school students interested in attending the residential healthcare-focused school being built in Demopolis. 

The first meeting was held at Wallace Community College in Selma led by President Dr. James Martin who called the school a “cutting-edge, state-funded public school” designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the healthcare field or further post-secondary education. It opens in August 2026 at University of West Alabama campus until the new school is built and opens behind Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis. 

“We are the first of our kind in the United States,” Martin said. “This is an opportunity for kids in Alabama to be part of something transformative.” 

The school, funded through the Alabama State Legislature’s Education Trust Fund, will be open to students statewide and aims to enroll 100 students in its inaugural class. By full capacity, the school will house up to 400 students across grades ninethrough12. 

Students will live on campus with a curriculum that embeds healthcare themes into every subject—from English and history to specialized medical research courses. Through dual enrollment partnerships with institutions like Wallace Community College Selma and the University of West Alabama, students will graduate with credentials such as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or certifications in pharmacy tech and radiology tech. Many will also earn an associate’s degree debt-free. 

Residential life will be modeled after a house system inspired by the Harry Potter series, with each house aligned to one of the school’s core values: compassion, innovation, integrity, and service.  

Dr. Antonio Cooper, the school’s residential life director, emphasized the importance of building a sense of family and belonging. “We want our students to feel like they’re part of something,” Cooper said. “This isn’t just a place to sleep, it’s a place to grow.” 

Students will participate in intramural activities, scouting programs and weekend service projects, including clinical rotations at Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis and other healthcare facilities across the state. The school’s flexible approach allows students to gain experience in their home communities, reinforcing its mission to serve Alabama’s rural healthcare needs. 

Admissions opened Oct. 1, and interest is already growing, with applications received from cities like Tuscaloosa. While the permanent campus is under construction in Demopolis, the first class will be housed at the University of West Alabama’s campus, where students will have access to dining facilities and recreational spaces. 

Martin stressed the urgency behind the school’s creation, citing alarming statistics about nursing shortages expected by 2026. “We’re going to have problems meeting the basic healthcare needs of our populace if we don’t act,” he said. “This school is our answer.” 

For more information or to apply, families are encouraged to visit the school’s website at www.alheathcarehs.org. Or students and parents can contact their local school counselors.