Birmingham has 1 remaining school on ‘failing’ list: Inside the effort to help

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The Rise learning hub opens at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The Rise learning hub opens at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Signage for the Rise learning hub from Ed Farm and the City of Birmingham is seen in the halls of Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., photographed Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The Rise learning hub from Ed Farm and the City of Birmingham opens at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Superintendent of Birmingham City Schools Dr. Mark Sullivan attends the opening of the Rise learning hub at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Innovation instructor Kayla White helps 4th and 5th graders with a coding game in the Rise learning hub at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The Rise learning hub from Ed Farm and the City of Birmingham opens at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Students practice podcasting in the Rise learning hub at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Director of Ed Farm Waymond Jackson seen at the opening of the Rise learning hub at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The Rise learning hub opens at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Students practice podcasting in the Rise learning hub at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

The hallways of Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Hayes K-8 School principal Jerry Davenport takes a phone call during the opening of the Rise learning hub in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Superintendent of Birmingham City Schools Dr. Mark Sullivan attends the opening of the Rise learning hub at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Students practice video editing in the Rise learning hub at Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Students walk through the hallways of Hayes K-8 School in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Early each school day, Doniell Milliner climbs into a bus and drives a short route on the east side of Birmingham.

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