Spain Park and Hoover Recognized Among the 2024 Top 15 Best High Schools in Alabama by U.S. News

 

Spain Park High School and Hoover High School have once again demonstrated their commitment to excellence in education by being named among the Top 15 Best High Schools in Alabama for 2024 by U.S. News and World Report.

In the recently released 2024 rankings, Spain Park High School secured the impressive position of #7, while Hoover High School earned the distinction of #11. These most recent rankings also place both high schools in the Hoover City Schools District among the top 5% of all high schools in the nation. This recognition reflects the dedication of both schools to providing outstanding educational opportunities and preparing students for success in college and beyond. The rankings evaluated nearly 25,000 public high schools across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

"Spain Park High School is honored to be recognized as the #7 best high school in the state by U.S. News and World Report. This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students, administrators, educators, and the entire school community," said Dr. Amanda Esslinger, Principal of Spain Park High School. "It is our goal for our students to find success at and after Spain Park. This accolade is a wonderful recognition of our student’s successes that are a result of the challenging curriculum that our teachers provide in the caring environment of Spain Park."

Similarly, Principal Jennifer Hogan of Hoover High School expressed pride in the school's ranking. Hogan said, "Being recognized as one of the Top 15 best high schools in the state is a tremendous honor for Hoover High School. This achievement reflects our exceptional students' hard work and determination, who consistently demonstrate a thirst for knowledge, a passion for learning, and a drive to succeed. It also underscores the dedication and expertise of our talented faculty and staff, who go above and beyond to inspire and support our students every day. This recognition would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our parents, guardians, and community members, who play a crucial role in the success of our school. We will continue to strive for excellence, uphold our core values, and provide our students with the tools and opportunities they need to reach their full potential."

U.S. News and World Report's rankings are based on a comprehensive methodology considering various factors, including college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rate. U.S. News and World Report says this rigorous evaluation process ensures that only the highest-performing schools are recognized. 

Here's a breakdown of the Best High Schools methodology:

• College Readiness 30%: The proportion of 12th graders who took and earned a qualifying score on at least one AP or IB exam. 

• State Assessment Proficiency 20%: Aggregated scores on state assessments that students may be required to pass for graduation.

• State Assessment Performance 20%: How aggregated scores on state assessments compare with U.S. News' expectations, given the proportions of students who are Black, Hispanic, and from low-income households.

• Underserved Student Performance 10%: Scores on state assessments aggregated just among students who are Black, Hispanic, and from low-income households. 

• College Curriculum Breadth 10%: The proportions of 12th graders who took and earned a qualifying score on AP and IB exams in multiple areas.

• Graduation Rate 10%: The proportion of entering ninth graders who graduated four academic years later.

U.S. News and World Report says data utilized in the analysis were sourced from reputable third-party sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, the College Board, and the International Baccalaureate program.

The rankings by U.S. News and World Report serve as a benchmark for excellence in high school education and highlight the outstanding achievements of Spain Park and Hoover high schools. Both schools are dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment where every student can thrive academically and reach their full potential. Please visit the  U.S. News and World Report website for more information on the rankings and methodology.