Best Schools in Mobile, Alabama
84 schools · 48 Elementary · 14 Middle · 11 High · 11 Other
Choosing a school in Mobile?
Use this page to compare every school in Mobile by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Clarkshaw Magnet School
Middle · Mobile County. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Old Shell Road Magnet School
Elementary · Mobile County. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Phillips Preparatory Middle School
Middle · Mobile County. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Mobile for 2026 are Clarkshaw Magnet School (9.2/10), Old Shell Road Magnet School (8.9/10), and Phillips Preparatory Middle School (8.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 53 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
84
56 public · 28 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$163,993
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
84
56 public · 28 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$163,993
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.9/10 despite 69% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.4 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Mobile schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Mobile
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 53 rated schools; 84 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clarkshaw Magnet School | 9.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Old Shell Road Magnet School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Phillips Preparatory Middle School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Orourke Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies | 8.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Denton Magnet School of Technology | 7.8 / 10 |
| 7 | W H Council Traditional School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Eicholdmertz School of Math and Science | 7.5 / 10 |
| 9 | Wp Davidson High School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 10 | John Will Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $50,292
- Median home value
- $163,993
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 53%
23% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Mobile compares
Alabama rank
#136 of 179
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Alabama avg (6.3)
Median household income
$50k
84% of Alabama median
Schools in this city
78
Education Snapshot
Mobile, AlabamaMobile, Alabama's education landscape spans 81 schools across 2 districts, serving roughly 39,305 students. The level mix skews elementary-heavy — 45 elementary schools feed into 13 middle schools and 10 high schools, with 13 additional combined or alternative campuses rounding out the structure. On MySchoolScout's composite scale, the city's 78 scored schools average 5.8/10, a full point below Alabama's statewide average of 6.4/10. That performance gap aligns with the city's socioeconomic profile: median household income sits at $54,756, which is 14% below the Alabama state median of $63,554, and 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Two charter schools operate within the city, a thin alternative footprint given the enrollment base. Families researching Mobile should weight individual school scores over the city composite — the 5.8 average spans a meaningful range across all 81 campuses.
Mobile County runs Mobile's public schools
56 public schools. Mobile County is the dominant district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Mobile is a Mobile County school (54 of 56).
Among 53 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.9 to 9.2 — the spread is inside Mobile, not a citywide average.
- Mobile County54 public · 96%
- Maef Public Charter Schools2 public · 4%
About Schools in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama has 54 ranked public schools, giving parents a broad field to evaluate. The city averages a 6.4 out of 10 across all ranked schools, with 19 schools — 35% of the total — scoring 7 or higher. That spread means real differences exist between schools, and where a student lands matters.
At the top of the performance range, Barton Academy For Advanced World Studies leads the city with a 9.0 out of 10, the highest score among Mobile's public schools. It serves middle school students focused on advanced and world studies coursework. Strong elementary options cluster near the top as well: Hutchens Elementary scores 8.4, while Elsie Collier Elementary, Holloway Elementary, and Forest Hill Elementary each land between 7.7 and 7.8. Parents with younger children have multiple high-performing elementary choices to weigh.
The city's average of 6.4 sits in solid mid-range territory, but that number masks the spread. With 65% of schools scoring below 7, performance drops off meaningfully outside the top tier. Parents should treat individual school scores rather than the city average as their primary research tool. Proximity to a high-scoring school is not guaranteed by neighborhood — checking attendance boundaries early in the search process is a practical first step.
Mobile's public school landscape rewards active research. The concentration of strong elementary schools at the top gives families with young children several competitive options. Middle school parents should put Barton Academy on their shortlist and confirm eligibility requirements, since advanced programs often have application or enrollment criteria. For parents across grade levels, the 35% of schools at 7 or above represents a meaningful pool of strong options, but the gap between top and middle performers makes school-specific data the clearest guide to decision-making.
Elementary Schools
48 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 369 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.9 |
| 2 | 584 students · Pre-K–2nd | 8.8 |
| 3 | 813 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 4 | 590 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 5 | 511 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
| 6 | 510 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
| 7 | 889 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.7 |
| 8 | 764 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 |
| 9 | 406 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 |
| 10 | 387 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.8 |
Show all 48 elementary schools in Mobile
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
14 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 544 students · 5th–8th | 9.2 |
| 2 | 438 students · 6th–8th | 8.7 |
| 3 | 272 students · 6th–9th | 8.0 |
| 4 | 330 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 5 | 333 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
| 6 | 340 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 |
| 7 | 1,405 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
| 8 | 485 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 9 | 305 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 |
| 10 | 644 students · 6th–8th | 4.4 |
Show all 14 middle schools in Mobile
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,473 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | 2,421 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 | ||
| 3 | 38 students · 10th–12th | 5.9 | ||
| 4 | 1,255 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 | ||
| 5 | 587 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 6 | 564 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 | ||
| 7 | 385 students · 9th–12th | 4.6 | ||
| 8 | 996 students · 6th–12th | 4.3 | ||
| 9 | 302 students · 9th–12th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 750 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 high schools in Mobile
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 166 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 46 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 3 | 192 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.7 | ||
Private Schools8 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 92 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Cypress Grove AcademyPrivate 85 students · Kindergarten–11th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Al-Iman Academy of MobilePrivate 115 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | St Luke's Episcopal SchoolPrivate 428 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | 594 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Mobile Christian SchoolPrivate 611 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | 1,132 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 other schools in Mobile
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Mobile
Mobile, Alabama · 84 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 14 ZIP codes
Median Income
$50,292
Median Home Value
$163,993
Median Rent
$962/mo
Population
254,600
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
53%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Community Profile
Mobile has a median household income of $50,292. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,993, with a median rent of $962/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Alabama
- Elementary
- 48
- Middle
- 14
- High
- 11
- Other
- 11
Resources
Other Major Cities in Alabama
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Mobile, Alabama
How many schools are in Mobile, Alabama?
Mobile has 84 schools, including 56 public and 28 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Mobile, Alabama?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Mobile is 5.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Mobile, Alabama?
The top-ranked school in Mobile on MySchoolScout is Clarkshaw Magnet School with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Mobile, Alabama?
The top-ranked elementary school in Mobile on MySchoolScout is Old Shell Road Magnet School with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Mobile, Alabama?
The top-ranked middle school in Mobile on MySchoolScout is Clarkshaw Magnet School with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What is the best high school in Mobile, Alabama?
The top-ranked high school in Mobile on MySchoolScout is Wp Davidson High School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Mobile, Alabama?
Mobile is served by 2 school districts: Maef Public Charter Schools, Mobile County.
What is the education level in Mobile, Alabama?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Mobile have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Mobile, Alabama?
The median household income in Mobile is approximately $50,292 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Mobile, Alabama?
Yes, Mobile has 28 private schools alongside 56 public schools. The top-rated private school is Little Flower Catholic School with a score of 8.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Mobile, Alabama?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Mobile is 14.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Mobile, Alabama?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Alabama Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.