The cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach both added new school systems in the past few years and a higher level of learning is apparent in the testing scores. The Orange Beach City Schools provided elevated ACAP scores in a press release this week proving their proficiency in several categories.

The press release stated "Over the past three years, few—if any—school systems in Alabama have

experienced proficiency gains as substantial as those of Orange Beach City Schools (OBCS), with English Language Arts increasing by 9%, Math by 10%, and Science by an impressive 19%. Of Alabama’s 153 traditional and charter school systems, OBCS has risen to the top of Alabama’s academic rankings, earning recognition as one of the state's highest-performing school systems."

Orange Beach ranks 2nd in the state overall in proficiency, with an impressive 81% of students in grades 3–8 scoring proficient across Math, English Language Arts, and Science.

Additional ACAP highlights include:

● 1st in Science – 4th and 8th-grade students achieved the highest science proficiency scores in the state.

● 2nd in Math – Grades 3–8 ranked second statewide in math performance.

● 4th in English Language Arts (ELA) – Grades 3–8 ranked fourth in the state for ELA proficiency.

“We are extremely proud of these results,” said Superintendent Randy Wilkes. “To see our

students rank first in the state in science proficiency is a testament to their curiosity, effort, and

the power of our hands-on, real-world approach to learning.”

The district demonstrated significant improvement over last year’s rankings:

● Science: improved from 3rd to 1st

● Math: improved from 3rd to 2nd

● ELA: improved from 7th to 4th

“Our math proficiency gains—ranging from 10% to 17% across multiple grade levels—are

nothing short of remarkable and reflect the deep commitment of our students, teachers, and

administrators. We’re equally proud of our English Language Arts performance, with several

sub-areas reaching 90% student proficiency. These achievements place Orange Beach City

Schools among the top systems in Alabama and affirm that our relentless pursuit of excellence is

paying dividends.”

Dr. Mary Catherine Law, Orange Beach Elementary School Principal, emphasized that Orange

Beach’s success comes from a full-circle learning approach: “Our students are completely

immersed in their education,” said Law. “Whether in the classroom, exploring the Sea, Sand, and

Stars Environmental Learning Center, partnering with Coastal Resources, or participating in

enrichment programs in the field, our students are learning everywhere they go. This holistic

approach ensures that learning is meaningful, relevant, and unforgettable.”

Orange Beach Middle & High School Principal Chris Shaw praised the collaboration between

students and teachers as a key factor in the school system’s success. “Engagement in the

classroom makes all the difference,” Shaw stated. “When students and teachers work together,

challenging one another and supporting one another, achievement follows. This success reflects

the commitment of our educators and the drive of our students.”