Bob Jones, James Clemens in ‘Best High Schools in Alabama’

MADISON – Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools both ranked in the 2023 list of “Best High Schools in the U.S,” which “U.S. News and World Report” publishes annually.

James Clemens ranked eighth within Alabama, while Bob Jones reached 11th place.

“Once again, James Clemens and Bob Jones are near the top of the list from ‘U.S. News and World Report’ among Alabama schools,” Dr. Ed Nichols said in his ‘District Update.’ Nichols is Superintendent of Madison City Schools.

Nichols cited another ranking from NICHE’s national education study group, which ranked MCS the best of more than 140 school systems statewide. Every single elementary, middle and high school in MCS ranked in the top 10 of all Alabama schools.

“Being in the top tier in numerous studies is a true community effort that everyone can be proud of for achieving. Certainly, administrators, teachers and support staff in our schools deserve much of the credit. They are where the learning happens every day,” Nichols said.

The recent honor also reflects the outstanding parents and children in the MCS district and an administrative team and board that continuously look for ways to improve, Nichols said.

“U.S. News and World Report” uses six ranking indicators to produce each school’s overall score:

* College Readiness Index – 30 percent. Measured by proportion of a school’s 12th-graders who earned a qualifying score on Advanced Placement or AP or International Baccalaureate or IB exams.

The index uses the number of 12th-grade students in the 2020-2021 academic year, who took one AP or IB test minimum by the end of their senior year. That number is divided by total number of 12th-graders.

* College curriculum breadth – 10 percent. Calculated with 12th-graders’ percentage who took, and the percentage who earned qualifying scores on, multiple AP or IB exams.

Students who took exams and earned qualifying scores in four AP or IB content areas earned full credit. Students who qualified in two or three AP or IB subjects received partial credit of 50 percent and 75 percent, respectively.

* State assessment proficiency – 20 percent. Each state issues standardized tests measuring student proficiency in subjects related to mathematics, reading and science. This indicator measures student performance on these assessments.

* State assessment performance – 20 percent. Also determined from state assessments for math, reading and science. In this case, organizers compare scores to predictions for the school from “U.S. News and World Report.”

* Underserved student performance – 10 percent. This measure assesses learning outcomes only among Black, Hispanic and low-income students. This indicator shows the school’s effectiveness in reaching these students, compared to other Alabama schools.

* Graduation Rate – 10 percent. Proportion of ninth-graders in 2017-2018 academic year to twelfth-graders who graduated four years later. Graduation rates indicate a school’s effectiveness in reaching all students.