Good news rolled out this week for classrooms across Alabama: the majority of schools boosted their performance on the state’s standardized test.
The Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) tracks English, math, and science skills, and the newest scores show momentum in the right direction.
Some schools made small jumps. Others leapt forward by double digits. In Montgomery, one campus celebrated more than 90% of its students hitting proficiency in all subjects.
On the other end of the spectrum, a handful of schools struggled to get even 5% of students to the mark. That wide gap is real—but the overall trend points to progress.
Math Momentum Takes the Lead
One of the most encouraging highlights came from math.
Gains showed up in every student group, including those who often face the steepest challenges—students with disabilities, those from low-income backgrounds, and even students without stable housing.
Consistent improvement in math, especially across such diverse groups, suggests the investments in teaching methods and extra support are starting to pay off.
It’s the kind of news that ripples beyond test scores.
Stronger math foundations mean more confidence in the classroom, more readiness for advanced courses in high school, and eventually, more opportunities when it comes time for college or career decisions.
A rising tide here can set the stage for long-term growth.
Reading and Writing Lift Communities
English language arts also showed statewide improvement, with standout gains in certain districts.
Elba, for example, jumped from 49% proficiency to 60% in just one year. That’s the single largest leap recorded.
Mountain Brook once again topped the charts with the highest overall scores, but the real story is how many other districts are catching up.
Improved reading and writing skills shape much more than grades. They affect how students engage in community life, from expressing ideas to participating in local conversations and even stepping into leadership roles.
For parents and families, stronger English scores translate into better-prepared kids who can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Science Slips Slightly
While English and math carried the day, science saw a small decline across the board. The drop wasn’t dramatic, but it’s a reminder that momentum can’t be taken for granted.
Educators will likely double down on strategies here, making sure hands-on labs, real-world experiments, and critical thinking remain central to the science experience.
Even with the dip, the overall outlook still feels optimistic. Stronger English and math skills often provide a foundation that feeds directly into scientific thinking.
If those gains hold steady, science scores may rebound as students feel more equipped to tackle problem-solving and analysis.
A Superintendent With Confidence
State Superintendent Eric Mackey called the results a reason to be “very, very bullish about the future.”
His optimism comes from the fact that growth isn’t limited to just a handful of districts.
Many schools across the state are improving at a pace that exceeds expectations.
That energy has a way of spilling into neighborhoods, school events, and local pride. When schools thrive, communities feel it—through brighter futures for students, stronger confidence in local education, and more reasons to celebrate progress.
The numbers on a page are only part of the story. The real impact shows up in the lives being shaped right now, in classrooms from Huntsville to Mobile Bay.
If you’d like to check out other news stories, hop over to our news corner.
