A high school classroom in Florida. Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey Thursday announced Alabama’s top and most improved schools under a state recognition program. (Getty)
Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey on Wednesday announced the state’s top-performing schools and the most improved institutions Thursday.
The initiative, established by state law as the Legislative School Performance Recognition Program, rewards schools for excellence or significant improvement in annual rankings.
“These are written in the law,” Mackey said during the Alabama State Board of Education meeting. “They demonstrate high performance by being ranked in the top 25% of public schools as ranked on the school grading system, or they demonstrate exemplary progress by improving the overall ranking – annual ranking of the school by at least one letter grade.”
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The top 25 performing schools were selected based on academic success based on the state’s grading system for schools and school districts. The top 25 most improved schools were highlighted for their significant grade improvement.
Mackey pointed to the importance of rewarding improvement.
“There are some schools that are never going to be in the top 25%—we know that, one is because we all know math well enough to know that 75% of schools will always be in the bottom 75%,” he said. “But even those schools that have challenges can see remarkable growth.”
A total of $250,000 in awards will be distributed to the recognized schools, with larger sums going to the most improved institutions.
The schools will be officially recognized at the Board’s February meeting, where representatives will receive their checks and take photos with legislators and board members.
“It will be chaotic; it will be challenging, but we would like to have all of them here to get their checks in person and take a picture with you,” Mackey said.
The Top 25 Performing Schools
- Barkley Bridge Elementary School, Hartselle
- Brock’s Gap Elementary School, Hoover
- Brookwood Forest Elementary School, Mountain Brook
- Cherokee Bend Elementary School, Mountain Brook
- Crestline Elementary School, Mountain Brook
- Deet Valley Elementary School, Hoover
- Edgewood Elementary School, Homewood
- Eichold-Mertz School of Math and Science, Mobile
- Eura Brown Elementary School, Gadsden
- Greystone Elementary School, Hoover
- Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School, Montgomery
- Monte Sano Elementary School, Huntsville
- Mountain Brook Elementary School, Mountain Brook
- Old Mountain Elementary School, Shelby County
- Old Shell Road Magnet School, Mobile
- Pizitz Middle School, Vestavia Hills
- Rock Quarry Elementary School, Tuscaloosa
- Shaders Cahaba Elementary School, Homewood
- Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge, Vestavia Hills
- Vestavia Hills Elementary East, Vestavia Hills
- Vestavia Hills Elementary West, Vestavia Hills
- W.H. Council Traditional School, Mobile
Top 25 Improved Schools
- Acceleration Day and Evening Academy, MAEF Public Charter Schools
- Alexander City Middle School, Alexander
- Chalkville Elementary School, Jefferson County
- Clark Elementary School, Selma
- Dannelly Elementary School, Montgomery County
- Danville-Neel Elementary School, Morgan County
- Dixie Elementary School, Russell County
- Donehoo Elementary School, Gadsden
- Fayette Elementary School, Fayette County
- Hokes Bluff Elementary School, Etowah County
- Holt High School, Tuscaloosa County
- I3 Academy Phase I, I3 Academy
- Inglenook School, Birmingham
- King Elementary School, Montgomery County
- Legacy Prep, Legacy Prep
- Lynn Fanning Elementary School, Madison County
- Marengo High School, Marengo County
- Mobile County Training Middle School, Mobile County
- Monroe County High School, Monroe County
- Notasulga High School, Macon County
- Oliver K5 School, Birmingham
- Richard Arrington Elementary, Birmingham
- Southview Elementary School, Tuscaloosa
- Winston County High School, Winston County
- Woodland Forrest Elementary School, Tuscaloosa
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