MCS scores big in 2025 school rankings

MADISON – Bob Jones and James Clemens high schools once again scored big in the annual U.S. News and World Report “Best High Schools in America” rankings for 2025. Each ranked in the top 10 in Alabama and within the top 7.5 percent of high schools nationwide.

James Clemens placed 8th in Alabama and Bob Jones 10th among the 386 Alabama high schools in the study. Nationally, JC ranked 1,068th and BJ 1,355th of nearly 18,000 in the nationwide listings. That puts Madison’s high schools in the top 7.5 percent in America overall.

The rankings are a measure of College Readiness (30 percent), State Assessment Proficiency and Performance (20% each), Underserved Student Performance (10%), College Curriculum Breadth (10%) and Graduation Rate (10%).

The study reviewed 24,000 high schools and assessed rankings to 18,000.

Middle schools and elementary schools were also graded by the study statewide but not nationally. All seven Madison elementary schools were top performers in Alabama, ranking within the top 10 percent of elementary schools statewide.

Madison’s middle schools fell within the top 3 percent of Alabama middle schools, with Liberty Middle placing 23rd and Discovery 28th. That’s out of 921 middle schools across Alabama.

All MCS elementary schools were also top performers in Alabama. Heritage led the MCS pack at 8th in Alabama, with Mill Creek a close second at 11th. That’s out of 1,149 statewide.

The remaining MCS elementary schools remained in the top 10 percent and better. Keep in mind that is among 1,149-plus elementary schools.

The report is the latest among a variety of studies looking at school excellence, with nearly all listing the district and individual schools among the best.