Bob Jones, James Clemens return to Top 10 of ‘Best High Schools in Alabama’

MADISON – Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools not only ranked in the “Best High Schools in Alabama” list by “U.S. News & World Report,” but both Madison schools qualified for the Top Ten.

James Clemens was ranked as No. 10, while Bob Jones reached No. 6.

“Families can use the Best High Schools rankings to see how schools compare at the national, state and local level on factors, like graduation rates and college readiness,” Anita Narayan said. Narayan is Managing Editor of Education at “U.S. News.”

“The rankings also provide insight into academic performance among underserved groups showing how well schools are supporting these students,” Narayan said.

“U.S. News” uses six factors to determine its “Best High Schools” list:

* College readiness – Accounts for 30 percent of rating. Includes proportion of seniors who earned a qualifying score on Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or both exams.

* Reading and math proficiency – 20 percent. From testing in the 2018-2019 school year.

* Reading and math performance – 20 percent. Determined as expected performance for characteristics of the school’s students.

* Underserved student performance – 10 percent. Comparison of scores on state assessments for underserved to those students who are not underserved in Alabama.

* College curriculum breadth – 10 percent. Percentage of seniors in 2018-2019 who passed multiple AP/IB exams.

* Graduation rates – 10 percent. For 2018-2019 school year.

Local schools in the list are Athens High School at No. 23 with a report card grade of 87/B; Huntsville High School, No. 18, 89/B; and New Century Tech High School (magnet), No. 2, 98/A.

“U.S. News” compiled details for each listed school:

* James Clemens, No. 10 — 94/A. Student poverty level is 7 percent. Direct Certified 16 percent. Enrollment 1,983. Total school-level spending per student for 2019 was $9,387. Local school-level spending per student, included in total above, for 2019 was $1,976. Last year, James Clemens ranked as No. 7.

* Bob Jones, No. 6 — 95/A. Student poverty level is 7 percent. Direct Certified 19. Enrollment 1,812. Total school-level spending per student for 2019 was $9,356. Local school-level spending per student, included in total above for 2019 was $1,671. Last year, Bob Jones ranked as No. 8.

For the second consecutive year, the No. 1 school was Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School in Montgomery. Enrollment is 513.