BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – U.S. News and World Report has released its 2026 Best Elementary and Middle Schools rankings, offering a look at how public schools stack up within each state – and in Alabama, the results tell a familiar story.
The publication, best known for its long-running education rankings, evaluated nearly 47,000 elementary schools and more than 23,000 middle schools nationwide. In Alabama, that includes nearly 600 elementary and more than 420 middle schools.
Rankings are based on state test scores in reading from the 2022-23 school year and math scores from the 2021-22 school year with adjustments for student background and performance. U.S. News also factors in overall proficiency levels and student-teacher ratios to break ties.
“These rankings highlight institutions that excel in fostering student achievement and providing exceptional learning environments for all,” U.S. News Education Editor LaMont Jones said.
The listings below show the school, the district and the percentage of students in poverty at the school last year. Those with asterisks are magnet schools.
Top 10 elementary schools
- Forest Avenue Elementary School* – Montgomery County – 26%
- Eichold-Mertz School of Math and Science* – Mobile County – 41%
- Mt. Laurel Elementary School – Shelby County – 20%
- Crestline Elementary School – Mountain Brook City – 2%
- Eura Brown Elementary School – Gadsden City – 35%
- Carver School of Math, Science and Technology* – Dothan City – 55%
- Saraland Elementary School – Saraland City – 51%
- Heritage Elementary School – Madison City – 26%
- Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary* – Tuscaloosa City- 29%
- W.H. Council Traditional School – Mobile County – 52%
Top 10 middle schools
- Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School- Jefferson County – 38%
- Pizitz Middle School – Vestavia Hills City – 10%
- Fairhope Middle School-Baldwin County – 27%
- Mountain Brook Junior High – Mountain Brook City – 3%
- Oak Mountain Intermediate School – Shelby County – 28%
- Phillips Preparatory Middle School* – Mobile County- 43%
- George W. Long High School – Dale County – 41%
- Cullman Middle School – Cullman City – 31%
- Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle*- Tuscaloosa City- 30%
- Homewood Middle School – Homewood City – 28%
Both lists of Alabama’s ranked schools are available here.
Many schools had no ranking because they either served special student populations or didn’t have the minimum number of students to be included in the analysis.
While U.S. News created separate rankings for charter schools, none of Alabama’s charter schools are included. Private schools are not included because they do not have state test data.
In Alabama, the schools at the top of the list have plenty in common. They tend to be city schools which are generally better funded, and most serve fewer students living in poverty. That combination gives them some built-in advantages. More funding generally means smaller class sizes, additional support staff and better classroom resources.
Alabama continues to rank near the bottom nationally in per-student spending, typically in the mid-40s among the 50 states, according to data from the National Education Association.
Recognizing the link between funding and achievement, Alabama increased its investment in K-12 education this year through the RAISE Act, which provides an additional $166 million in targeted funding for the current school year.
The law directs money toward students with the greatest needs – including those in poverty, English learners, gifted students, students with disabilities and those attending charter schools.
It also requires districts to report how those funds are spent and how they affect student outcomes in future years.
Beyond funding are the students themselves. Students in lower-poverty schools are also more likely to have access to books, reliable internet and enrichment opportunities outside of school.
Poverty rates among the top-ten elementary schools range from 2% to 55%. The top-ten middle school poverty rates vary from 3% to 43%.
Statewide, 90 schools – most of them elementary – had poverty rates of 90% or more last year. Another 270 schools fell between 75% and 90%.
High-poverty schools typically struggle academically, but some in Alabama are bucking that trend, showing they can achieve at high levels in spite of poverty’s challenges.
Statewide, just over 55% of students were in poverty during the 2024-25 school year.
Several of the top performers are public magnet schools where students must maintain strong grades and stay out of trouble to stay enrolled. Those types of requirements keep students motivated and generally result in higher achievement.