Murphy High School
Tel:
(251)221-3206
- Murphy High School serves 2,100 students in grades 9-12.
- The percentage of students achieving proficiency in Math is 12% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 43%) for the 2015-2016 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in Reading/Language Arts is 30% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 38%) for the 2015-2016 school year.
- 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 2015-2016 school year.
- The student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is equal to the Alabama state level of 18:1.
- Minority enrollment is 80% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Alabama state average of 44%.
- Murphy High School operates within the Mobile County School District.
- Mobile County School District's 81% graduation rate is lower than the Alabama state average of 87%.
Top Placements (Alabama)
Murphy High School is Listed among the top public schools in Alabama for:
- Category Attribute
- Community Size Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
School Overview
- Murphy High School's student population of 2100 students has declined by 5% over five school years.
- The teacher population of 120 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
| Grades Offered | Grades 9-12 |
| Total Students | 2,100 students |
| Gender % |  |
| Total Classroom Teachers | 120 teachers |
| Students by Grade |  |
School Comparison
- Murphy High School is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 1264 schools in Alabama (based off of combined Math and Reading proficiency testing data) for the 2015-2016 school year.
- The school's student:teacher ratio of 18:1 has stayed the same over five school years.
- The diversity score of Murphy High School is 0.40, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.33. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
| Definition of Terms 2015-2016 School Year Data | This School | State Level (AL) |
| Math Test Scores (% Proficient) | 12% | 43% |
| Reading / Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient) | 30% | 38% |
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 18:1 | 18:1 |
| Asian | 2% | 1% |
| Hispanic | 2% | 7% |
| Black | 75% | 33% |
| White | 20% | 56% |
| Two or more races | 1% | 2% |
| All Ethnic Groups |  |  |
| Diversity Score | 0.40 | 0.33 |
| Graduation Rate | 86% | 87% |
 | ||
| Eligible for Free Lunch | 43% | 46% |
District Comparison
- The school district of Murphy High School is Mobile County School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 136 school districts in Alabama (based off of combined Math and Reading proficiency testing data) for the 2015-2016 school year.
- Mobile County School District's student population of 58,837 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
- The district's graduation rate of 81% has increased from 64% over five school years.
- The revenue/student of $10,099 in this district is less than the state average of $10,349. The district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
- The district's spending/student of $9,919 is less than the state average of $10,471. The district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
| School District Name | Mobile County School District | |
| Number of Schools Managed | 95 | 6 |
| Number of Students Managed | 58,837 | 2,907 |
 | ||
| District Math Test Scores (% Proficient) | 39% | 43% |
| District Reading / Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient) | 35% | 38% |
| District Graduation Rate | 81% | 87% |
| District Total Revenue | $592 MM | $30 MM |
| District Spending | $582 MM | $30 MM |
| District Revenue / Student | $10,099 | $10,349 |
| District Spending / Student | $9,919 | $10,471 |
| School Statewide Testing | View Education Department Test Scores | |
Source: 2015-2016 (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.
Nearby Public Schools
- The nearest high school to Murphy High School is Augusta Evans School (0.9 miles away)
- The nearest middle school is Augusta Evans School (0.9 miles away)
- The nearest elementary school is Old Shell Creative Performing Art Elementary School (0.7 miles away)
Show me:
- School Location Miles Grades Students
- Mobile Old Shell Creative Performing Art Elementary School Magnet School
Grades: K-5 | 496 students
0.7 miles
3160 Heather St
Mobile, AL 36604
(251)221-1557 0.7 K-5 496 - Mobile Augusta Evans School Special Education School
Grades: PK-12 | 288 students
0.9 miles
6301 Biloxi Ave
Mobile, AL 36607
(251)221-5400 0.9 PK-12 288 - Mobile Leinkauf Elementary School Grades: K-5 | 635 students
1.1 miles
1410 Monroe St
Mobile, AL 36604
(251)221-1495 1.1 K-5 635 - Mobile Lillie B Williamson High School Grades: 9-12 | 573 students
1.2 miles
1567 E Dublin St
Mobile, AL 36605
(251)221-3411 1.2 9-12 573 - Mobile Pointe Academy Alternative School
Charter School
1.2 miles
461 Donald Street
Mobile, AL 36617
(334)470-1798 1.2 n/a n/a
School Reviews
| 2 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. - Posted by Parent - gapud |
Nearby Homes for Sale
Recent Articles
Learn about how public schools are implementing new programs that encourage dropouts to return to the classroom.
Childhood obesity rates continue to climb. While many public schools have implemented policies and programs to combat the problem, there is always more to be done. Keep reading to learn what schools are doing to prevent obesity and how you can help.
Food allergies are no laughing matter and it doesn't take long for them to become dangerous. Keep reading to learn how to keep your child safe at school if he has a food allergy.
