The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a town or city which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 27%
64%
Avg. Statewide: 46%
Top-Ranked Cities With Best Public Schools in Alabama (2026-27)
City
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
64%
(9 out of 14)
(9 out of 14)
Rank: #22.
60%
(3 out of 5)
(3 out of 5)
- Fairhope Middle School
Rank: #114 of 1,275 (Top 5%)
(Math: 67% | Reading: 76%) - Fairhope West Elementary School
Rank: #138 of 1,275 (Top 5%)
(Math: 60% | Reading: 77%) - Fairhope East Elementary School
Rank: #148 of 1,275 (Top 10%)
(Math: 58% | Reading: 79%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Fairhope, AL Schools
Rank: #33.
50%
(3 out of 6)
(3 out of 6)
Rank: #44.
43%
(3 out of 7)
(3 out of 7)
- Barkley Bridge Elementary School
Rank: #33 of 1,275 (Top 1%)
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%) - Crestline Elementary School
Rank: #175 of 1,275 (Top 10%)
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%) - Fe Burleson Elementary School
Rank: #196 of 1,275 (Top 10%)
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Hartselle, AL Schools
Rank: #55.
36%
(5 out of 14)
(5 out of 14)
Rank: #66.
27%
(32 out of 120)
(32 out of 120)
- Crestline Elementary School
Rank: #6 of 1,275 (Top 1%)
(Math: 89% | Reading: 91%) - Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park
Rank: #16 of 1,275 (Top 1%)
(Math: 80% | Reading: 87%) - Mt Laurel Elementary School
Rank: #18 of 1,275 (Top 1%)
(Math: 85% | Reading: 86%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Birmingham, AL Schools
Recent Articles
Can Your Child Get Into School Clubs and Activities?
Discover whether your child can access advertised school clubs and activities, including enrollment limits, tryouts, fees, transportation, scheduling conflicts, and essential questions parents should ask before choosing schools today.
Who Supervises Students When Their Teacher Is Out?
Discover who supervises students when regular teachers are absent, how schools arrange classroom coverage, what qualifications substitutes need, and which questions parents should ask about safety and learning continuity.
When the School Nurse Isn't There: Parent Guide
Learn what happens when school nurses are absent, how public schools handle medications and emergencies, and which essential questions parents should ask to protect their children's health and safety daily.