Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach City Schools has earned the second-highest report card score among all traditional and charter school systems in Alabama. The district achieved this ranking just three years after it was created. Local leaders say the score shows how quickly the system has grown. They also describe the result as a shared success for the entire Orange Beach community.

The district announced the new report card ranking on November 17, 2025. Orange Beach City Schools was officially formed on July 1, 2022, making it one of the newest systems in the state. In that short time, it has risen ahead of many larger and older districts. In total, the ranking places Orange Beach at number two out of 149 school systems in Alabama.

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District officials note that the score puts Orange Beach City Schools ahead of numerous long-established, high-performing systems. Many of those districts have decades of history and larger pools of resources. Despite that, Orange Beach has joined the top tier in only three years. Leaders say the fast rise shows what can happen when vision, leadership, and community support are all working together.

Superintendent Randy Wilkes said the success belongs to many groups. He pointed to students for their dedication and hard work in the classroom. He also praised teachers and staff for their daily commitment to student learning. Wilkes added that administrators, the Board of Education, and parents have all played important roles in supporting achievement.

Wilkes said the ranking reflects the promise of Orange Beach students and the efforts of those who serve them. He also thanked the broader Orange Beach community for staying involved in local schools. According to Wilkes, strong partnerships between families, schools, and the city have helped the district grow. He described the achievement as a “shared accomplishment” for Orange Beach.

When the school system launched in 2022, district and city leaders set an ambitious goal. They wanted Orange Beach City Schools to reach the top ten school systems in Alabama within four years. The district has now passed that target ahead of schedule. Instead of reaching the top ten by year four, Orange Beach has climbed to number two in year three.

Even with the high ranking, district leaders say they remain focused on improvement. One of their main priorities is student attendance. Officials want students to be present and engaged in school every day. They say strong attendance is closely linked to academic success. The district plans to keep stressing the importance of being in class on time and ready to learn.

Another key focus is academic proficiency across all grade levels. Orange Beach City Schools wants students to work toward mastery in every subject. That includes core areas such as reading, math, science, and social studies. District leaders say they will continue to monitor progress and support students who need help. They also plan to build on strategies that are already working well.

As one of Alabama’s newest school systems, Orange Beach is trying to set a new standard. Officials say success is not measured by the age of a district but by its vision and leadership. They also point to the value of having a community that is united around the schools. The strong state report card score has given the district momentum to carry forward.

With the second-highest report card score in Alabama, Orange Beach City Schools is now viewed as one of the state’s top performers. District leaders say they want to maintain that standing in the years ahead. They plan to keep focusing on daily attendance, academic growth, and support for teachers and students. The goal, they say, is to sustain excellence one day at a time.

Click here to use the Alabama Dept. of Education’s School Grades. You can compare up to 3 schools at a time.