The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in Mobile has again been ranked among the best public high schools in the country. It placed No. 21 nationally in Niche’s 2027 Best Public High Schools in America rankings.
This is the second straight year ASMS has landed in the national top 25. In Alabama, the school has held the top spot in four Niche categories for three straight years:
- No. 1 Best Public High School in Alabama
- No. 1 Best High School for STEM in Alabama
- No. 1 Best College Prep Public High School in Alabama
- No. 1 Best Magnet High School in Alabama
How the Rankings Work
Niche is a national school and college search platform whose annual K-12 rankings are widely used by families comparing schools. According to the school, the 2027 rankings consider academic rigor, course offerings and extracurricular opportunities. They also draw on data from sources such as the U.S. Department of Education, along with reviews from current students, alumni and parents.
Because the rankings combine government data with feedback from students and families, they measure academic performance as well as how students and families describe the school experience.
Free to Attend, Open Statewide
School leaders say the rankings matter to Alabama families because ASMS is open to students from every part of the state. Any Alabama student in the eighth, ninth or 10th grade can apply.
The State of Alabama funds the school, so students do not pay tuition. ASMS also provides room and board, so students live on campus in Mobile during the school year. Living on campus is required, so students from Huntsville to Dothan attend under the same arrangement.
That residential model is uncommon among public high schools. For families in rural counties or in school systems with fewer advanced math and science courses, it can provide access to coursework and research that might not otherwise be available close to home.
Students Weigh In
Current students say the ranking reflects what they experience every day.
“ASMS has given me opportunities to explore STEM through challenging classes, hands-on experiences, and leadership opportunities like being a STEM Ambassador. These experiences have helped me discover my interests while also giving me a better idea of how I want to use STEM in my future career,” said senior Alyssa Ricks of Barbour County.
Junior Alton Raburn traveled even farther. He comes from Winston County in northwest Alabama.
“Even though the school is five hours from my home, the academics and opportunities for my future have made it worth the distance,” Raburn said.
A Legacy Dating to 1989
ASMS was established in 1989 and graduated its first class in 1993. It was modeled on similar residential schools for mathematics and science in North Carolina and Louisiana. Former state Sen. Ann Bedsole of Mobile was one of the school’s main founders, and a campus building bears her name.
The school was teaching advanced mathematics, science and humanities courses years before STEM, the acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, became a common term in education. ASMS hires subject experts and former college professors who teach students and work with them on research projects, giving high school students experience with college-level learning.
The campus sits at 1255 Dauphin St. in Midtown Mobile, on the former site of Dauphin Way Baptist Church. The church property was renovated to create classrooms, laboratories and residence halls. More recent additions include the E.O. Wilson Science Research Center, named for the Alabama-born biologist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, which opened in 2024.
ASMS is a member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools and is accredited through Cognia. Enrollment is under 300 students, which allows for small classes and close contact with faculty.
ASMS students also take part in research partnerships with local institutions. Earlier this fall, ASMS and University of South Alabama students showed drone, rover, boat and submarine projects designed to assist first responders.
How to Apply
ASMS is now accepting applications from Alabama eighth-, ninth- and 10th-graders for the 2027-28 school year.
- Information sessions: ASMS admissions officers are traveling across Alabama in October to host information sessions and meet with families.
- ASMS Day: Families can visit the Mobile campus on Saturday, Nov. 7.
- Cost: No tuition. The state funds the school, and room and board are provided.
- Eligibility: Alabama students in eighth, ninth or 10th grade.
Families can find application details, admissions requirements and the information session schedule on the school’s website.
How Other Alabama Schools Fared in the 2027 Rankings
Niche also ranked ASMS as the best K-12 school in Alabama overall. Niche says its rankings come from what it calls a “rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education.” Here are the statewide top 10 lists in four categories. Two other Mobile-area schools and districts appear on them: St. Luke’s Episcopal School and Saraland City Schools.
Best public high schools in Alabama
- Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, Mobile
- LAMP, Montgomery
- Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, Huntsville
- Homewood High School, Homewood
- Alabama School of Fine Arts, Birmingham
- New Century Tech School, Huntsville
- Mountain Brook High School, Mountain Brook
- James Clemens High School, Madison
- Vestavia Hills High School, Vestavia Hills
- Spain Park High School, Hoover
Best private high schools in Alabama
- Indian Springs School, Birmingham
- The Altamont School, Birmingham
- Randolph School, Huntsville
- Montgomery Academy, Montgomery
- Saint James School, Montgomery
- Hoover Christian School, Hoover
- Trinity Presbyterian School, Montgomery
- St. John Paul II Catholic School, Huntsville
- Westminster Christian School, Huntsville
- St. Luke’s Episcopal School, Mobile
Best public K-8 schools in Alabama
- Dean Elementary, Auburn
- Cary Woods Elementary, Auburn
- Homewood Middle School, Homewood
- Liberty Park Middle, Vestavia Hills
- Richland Elementary, Auburn
- Shades Cahaba Elementary, Homewood
- Shades Mountain Elementary, Hoover
- Brock’s Gap Intermediate, Hoover
- Edgewood Elementary, Homewood
- Deer Valley Elementary, Hoover
Best school districts in Alabama
- Homewood City Schools
- Auburn City Schools
- Vestavia Hills City Schools
- Madison City Schools
- Alabaster City Schools
- Hoover City Schools
- Trussville City Schools
- Mountain Brook City Schools
- Hartselle City Schools
- Saraland City Schools
Saraland City Schools is the only school system in southwest Alabama to make the statewide top 10 district list. Three of the 10 best public high schools are specialized statewide schools: ASMS, the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering and the Alabama School of Fine Arts.
What the Ranking Means for Alabama
A No. 21 national ranking puts a state-funded school in Mobile among the strongest public high schools in the country, which include large suburban districts and selective magnet programs. For Alabama, it is a sign that a public school open to students statewide, at no tuition cost, can compete nationally.
For prospective students like Ricks and Raburn were a few years ago, the ranking offers one more reason to look into a school that may be hours from home but within reach.