Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach City Schools announced that the district has earned a top county honor. Officials said the district placed first among Baldwin County districts in the latest Niche rankings. The recognition includes standout results for two campuses. Leaders credited students, staff, and families for the performance.

The district released the news on Wednesday. According to the Niche website, it’s a major U.S. platform for researching K-12 schools and colleges. 

Orange Beach Elementary School was named the number one elementary school in Baldwin County. Orange Beach Middle & High School was named the number two high school in the county.

District leaders said the rankings reflect several measures. Those include academic performance, extracurricular opportunities, and information from the U.S. Department of Education. Survey input from students, alumni, and parents was also cited as part of the analysis.

“This recognition is a true reflection of the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our students, teachers, staff, and families,” Superintendent Wilkes said. He added that the district will keep expanding opportunities in academics, arts, and athletics.

Officials said the top district placement aligns with goals set by the board. They emphasized a focus on preparing every student for success. The district framed the county recognition as encouragement to maintain high standards across grades.

Families and residents who want to see detailed rankings can visit Niche online. The district encouraged readers to review the 2025 county lists, methods, and data sources on the site.

Orange Beach City Schools expressed thanks to its staff, students, parents, and community partners. Leaders said that support helped the district’s schools reach county-leading status this year. They said continued collaboration will remain central to future progress.

Board officers listed in the release include President Randy McKinney and Vice President Nelson Bauer. Members Lisa Nix, Shannon Robinson, and Robert Stuart also serve on the board. Media inquiries may be directed to Communications Specialist Alyssa Cherney.

The district said it is proud of the rankings but focused on continued improvement. Officials noted that data and surveys inform the lists and can change each year. They said the goal is steady growth for every student.