Murphy High School
Murphy High School serves 1,823 students in grades 9-12.
Murphy High School placed in the bottom 50% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 37% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 47%) for the 2018-19 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 36% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 45%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is equal to the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Alabama state average of 45% (majority Black).
School Overview
Murphy High School's student population of 1,823 students has declined by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 105 teachers has declined by 8% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,823 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
105 teachers
Students by Grade
School Calendar
View the Murphy High School yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
Mardi Gras/ President's Day Break - All Schools Closed
February 28, 2022 (Monday)
Spring Break - All Schools Closed
April 18, 2022 (Monday)
Students Last Day
May 26, 2022 (Thursday)
School Rankings
Murphy High School is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 1,263 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2018-19 school year.
The diversity score of Murphy High School is 0.41, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#853 out of 1263 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
47%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
45%
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
2%
1%
Hispanic
4%
8%
Black
75%
33%
White
17%
55%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
2%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
88%
91%
Eligible for Free Lunch
62%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: 2017-2018 (latest school year available) NCES, AL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- S.S. Murphy High School, located in Mobile, Alabama, is a public high school operated by the Mobile County Public School System.
- History: In 1922, the Mobile County Public School System (MCPSS) began to plan for the construction of a new high school that would serve the entire county, as the facilities of Barton Academy were becoming overcrowded with soldiers returning from World War I. Prior to that time Barton Academy had been used as a public school. In 1923, the Mobile County School Board acquired 38 acres from the Carlen family for a site for their proposed high school complex, with room for a student body from 8th to 11th grade. The cornerstone of the school was laid on December 14, 1925, and on April 26, 1926, Mobile High School, later known as Murphy High School, opened. Construction costs totaled $850,000 for the first six buildings with an additional $200,000 spent on the gymnasium and the Olympic-size pool installed in 1930, leading to the local designation of the school as the "million-dollar high school".
- The school was first known as Mobile High School, but two years after its opening the school's name was changed to Murphy High School in honor of Samuel Silenus Murphy, MCPSS superintendent who directed public education in Mobile from 1900-1926. While still called Murphy High School, the yearbook was called the "Mobile High Annual." At the change of the name to Murphy High School, the workers did not want to change the name of the yearbook. They agreed to shorten the name to "Mohian," or a shortened version of Mobile High Annual.
- Murphy was selected in 1987 as a Presidential Model School by the U.S. Department of Education, and was placed in 1982 on the National Register of Historic Landmarks by the U.S. Department of the Interior. In 1994, Redbook Magazine named Murphy one of the top high schools in America and one of the biggest high schools in Alabama. In 1997, several Murphy students were featured in Seventeen Magazine.
- Academics: Murphy attracts students from all over Mobile County. It has extensive offering of courses, including 14 courses of Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate program. Students at Murphy consistently score above the national average on SAT and ACT tests. Earning over $6.5 million in scholarships annually, an average of 65% of Murphy's seniors attend four-year colleges, and approximately 20% attend two-year colleges, including vocational training. From 1990-2003, Murphy had 24 National Merit semi-finalists, and 28 commended students. Nine students earned National Achievement Recognition. Murphy also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
- School uniform: Murphy students are required to wear school uniforms.
- Feeder patterns: The following middle schools feed into Murphy: Burns, Calloway-Smith, Denton, Eanes, Hillsdale, Pillans, Scarborough, and Washington.
School Reviews
1 2/17/2020
This is a horrible school. The school administration doesn't take the kids’ bullying action serious. There's no guidance at the school to ensure the kids' safety. The resources officer never are on duty but linger around and not concerned about the needs of the students. Please avoid this school. The principal never is concerned about the safety of the kids. Horrible School in Mobile ala.
2 4/10/2012
We took our son out of our district just to attend the IB program here. It was the worst thing we ever did to him. No need to bore you with details. Let me just summarize by saying this school is not a school but a big juvenile detention center, and the IB program is basically a pathetic attempt at beautification. The administration is so overwhelmed that they cannot be bothered with the needs of students who are NOT getting into trouble. There are a few good teachers, but not enough to make it worthwhile. Don't waste a single day of your child's youth, as we had. Avoid this school at all costs.
Review Murphy High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Nearby Homes for Sale
-
3971 WIMBLEDON PARK
MOBILE, AL$575,000- 4 Beds | 3.5 Baths
- (3.77 miles from school)
-
5128 NORTON LN
MOBILE, AL$158,800- 3 Beds | 1 Bath
- (4.45 miles from school)
-
6258 SARASOTA DR
MOBILE, AL$27,500- (6.56 miles from school)
-
6704 ROLLING GREEN DR
MOBILE, AL$326,500- 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths
- (6.92 miles from school)
Recent Articles
How to Earn Your Associate’s Degree Before Graduating from High School
Earn your associate's degree - or credit towards a bachelor's degree - before you earn your high school diploma. Learn about early college high schools and how they can help you jumpstart your higher education.
The Best High School Classes for Collegiate Success
Learn which classes can best help students prepare for college.
Technology in Public Schools
Learn how technology is being implemented and funded in public schools.
