U.S. News & World Report recently unveiled its highly anticipated list of the 2024 Best U.S. High Schools, and the results have sparked both celebration and concern in Montgomery, Alabama. The rankings revealed that both the highest- and lowest-ranking schools in the state are located in the capital city.
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (LAMP) claimed the impressive No. 21 spot nationally, securing its position as the top high school in Alabama. This achievement is nothing new for LAMP, as the school has consistently excelled over the past decade, often competing with Mountain Brook High School for the top spot. However, this year saw a new contender emerge, with Huntsville’s New Century Tech Demo High School snagging the second-place position in the state.
The rankings were determined based on six key indicators, including college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, and graduation rate. According to U.S. News & World Report analysts Robert Morse, Eric Brooks, and Owen Turnbull, a great high school is one that educates students from diverse backgrounds and challenges them with rigorous coursework.
In addition to LAMP, two other Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) magnets – BrewTech and Booker T. Washington – made it into the top 20 high schools in Alabama. These schools have maintained their rankings from the previous year, showcasing high levels of Advanced Placement participation and reading proficiency.
On the flip side, all of MPS’ traditional high schools found themselves at the bottom of the state rankings, with none scoring higher than a 4.8 out of 100 in college readiness. These schools also reported very low AP participation rates, highlighting the disparities within the Montgomery education system.
Overall, the rankings shed light on the stark contrast between the top-performing magnet schools and the struggling traditional schools in Montgomery. As the community grapples with these disparities, educators and officials are faced with the challenge of ensuring that all students have access to quality education and opportunities for success.