Families in the Huntsville area will have the chance next week to preview, and be among the first applicants for, the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences (ASHS), the state’s newest specialty public high school.

ASHS is going to be the fourth tuition-free residential, public high school in Alabama, and it is being built in Demopolis because one of its main purposes is to train future healthcare workers who can help alleviate the workforce shortage throughout rural Alabama.

School leaders will host a statewide informational session, A Future of Healthcare, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, in the Dowdle Center Auditorium at Huntsville Hospital, 109 Governors Drive.

This event will offer parents, students, and community members an inside look at ASHS, which opens in Fall 2026. The meeting will include presentations from school administrators about the vision of the school, its innovative curriculum, and the unique opportunities students will experience through living on campus. Attendees will also learn about the admissions process and have time to ask questions directly to the leadership team.

“This school is a golden opportunity for Alabama,” said Dr. Jimmy Martin, President of ASHS. “We’re looking for students who want to be pioneers – young people ready to challenge themselves academically, grow in character, and prepare for careers that will change healthcare in Alabama and beyond.”

Students at ASHS will complete the state-required core curriculum while engaging in rigorous academic courses alongside specialized healthcare classes, gain hands-on experience with clinical and community partners, and earn both college credit and industry-recognized certifications before graduation. Graduates will be prepared to step directly into the healthcare workforce or begin college or advanced training with meaningful credits already earned—giving them a clear head start on their future.

To register for the meeting, visit https://tinyurl.com/ASHS-Info-Registration.