Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — For the second year in a row, every third-grade student in Orange Beach City Schools met or exceeded the state reading standard. This makes Orange Beach one of the top-performing districts in Alabama in early literacy.

The results come from the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP). In 2025, state officials raised the required score to pass. Even with the tougher rules, Orange Beach students kept their perfect record.

This achievement builds on 2024, when the district was the only one in Alabama to reach 100% at or above grade level in third-grade reading. Repeating this under harder conditions highlights the strength of Orange Beach’s reading program.

Superintendent Randy Wilkes credited teachers, school leaders, and families. He said the back-to-back success proves how dedicated everyone is to helping kids learn to read well and succeed.

The ACAP test is tied to Alabama’s Literacy Act. The law requires students to read well by third grade or risk being held back. Orange Beach’s results mean no third-grader there needs extra help this year.

Wilkes said the goal is not just to meet the state’s reading standard, but to lead by example. He called strong reading the key to strong learning for life.