2024 Best Public Schools in Huntsville

• Huntsville, AL•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  39 reviews

Junior: ASCTE has given me the most unique high school experience that anyone could ask for. I applied to the school as a rising sophomore, and as my sophomore year comes to a close and I am officially a Junior now, I was recently reflecting on how many opportunities this school gives its students. Leadership opportunities are abundant, and internships are plentiful(and guaranteed). My favorite part of this school is the internship opportunities with leading companies in the engineering industry. I think that my worst experience was when I accidentally stayed out later than curfew and got in trouble for it! I'd love to see improvements in the sports opportunities, more competitive teams are sure to come with more time, as the school is only 3 years old and we just had our first graduating class! I'm super excited to be a part of this amazing school and community, and I can't wait to see how it changes and develops in the future!... Read 39 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 337

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Madison City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  410 reviews

Junior: Even though James Clemens High School is a very large school with almost 2,000 students, teachers and staff find a way to make you feel special. There are so many opportunities available to students with varied interests. One major opportunity is related to NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, and many Aerospace Companies headquarters nearby. Students can attend Space Camp at a reduced rate. Many of the aerospace companies offer job shadowing and internship opportunities for high school students interested in aerospace and engineering. Teachers work hard to sponsor clubs and coach sports of all kinds so there is literally something for everyone! a... Read 410 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,142

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Madison City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  487 reviews

Parent: Bob Jones is a great school. Lots to offer from class options, athletic, clubs, and social avenues. Courses are rigorous if you take the honors/Pre-AP/AP route, which will be of great benefit entering into college. As a large school, my encouragement is to take advantage of the smaller environments so you can plug in and be known. Our family has been very encouraged and blessed by having our children be a part of the football team. Amazing coaches and teammates. Highly recommend!... Read 487 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,918

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Huntsville City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  177 reviews

Parent: Superior marks awarded to New Century Technology (NCT) High School staff, students, and facility by this parent whose two high schoolers attend NCT. NCT's educational strands allow students to explore academics ranging from robotics, engineering, medical studies to computer sciences. A school with a solid 25-year foundation in the Huntsville area that has less than 500 students in the entire school. This school's pedigree of current and former students' accomplishments is formidable and will downright surprise you. Call and talk to the administration-- they will gladly talk to you. NCT takes ANY student who is willing to work hard and turns them into the leaders and intellectuals of the future. As a parent who has lived throughout the world and whose children have attended numerous schools throughout the world--- NCT unequivocally holds its ground as an educational institution that goes toe-to-toe with the elite private and renowned public schools within our nation.... Read 177 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 432

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Madison City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: I’ve had two children come through Horizon and have intentionally not moved so that we can stay at this school. Could not be happier!... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 560

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Madison City Schools, AL•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: 8 years (combined) of the best teachers and administrators. They care for and challenge these students, preparing them for a bright future. Much deserved designation - keep up the great work HES!... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 881

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Madison City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  8 reviews

Parent: Excellent! I’ve had two children complete middle school at DMS in recent years. I can definitely say that this school has something for everyone! Honors courses, various electives, sports, and any type of club imaginable. Invested teachers, administrators, and coaches who really take the time to get to know each child and family are really what set this school apart though.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,374

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Madison City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: Our daughter attends Columbia. Coming from military school systems and other subpar public schools, Columbia has been a breath of fresh air. Our daughter LOVES going to school every day! Her teachers are very communicative through fun apps showing us what she's doing through the day, and almost daily email updates! (Which we LOVE) My husband and I went and had lunch with her the other day and we were blown away by the way the students conducted themselves in the hall and lunch room. It is clear they are doing something right in this school. We are happy to be apart of the Columbia family!... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 785

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Madison City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 2 out of 5  1 review

• grade A

• Students 954

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Madison City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.39 out of 5  18 reviews

Middle School Student: I like going here. I am an 8th grader and with the covid stuff i think they are doing well. I like it here.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,416

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Madison City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: As an RES parent for the last 9 years, I have seen this school blossom and grow into a place families don't want to leave. In the last 2 years, we have implemented a house system and it has changed the environment of our school. There are 6 houses and children are placed their 1st year and will remain there until they move on to Middle School. Each house has kids K-5. That means relationships are forming for years. Big kids mentor little ones and little ones love being with the big ones. School spirit is high and no doubt our House System and our admin play a huge role. Activities offered before and after school are plentiful. There are a variety of sports, art, drama, leadership and music available. Students get more recess and PE than ever. I am grateful.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 912

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Hartselle City Schools, AL•

• 5-6

• •
  Rating 4.79 out of 5  19 reviews

Works Here: I have never been part of a school that has an administrator that knows what they are doing! This is a school that honors faculty, yet pushes them to always be better. The staff rises to the occasion. There is high expectation on students in 5th and 6th grade. There is a no tolerance for poor behavior. One of the best things that this school implements is a reward system as well as a place for kids who are having trouble in the classroom to go and complete assignments away from distractions that may have caused poor behavior. There is a point team system that kids work toward a spirit stick. There is a camaraderie with staff and teachers that is unmatched. We are truly all on the same page with students and work to high levels to get students to where the need to be. The admin fully support staff and they also pitch in to help with remediation and instruction when needed. There are not may admins that fill in when needed. This is a fantastic school in which to work!... Read 19 reviews

• grade A

• Students 561

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Huntsville City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  363 reviews

Senior: My Huntsville High School experience differs greatly than student's of past years due to COVID-19. I was virtual for part of my freshman year and all of my sophomore year. My school system did not know how to accurately respond to the covid situation and many of my teachers were being overworked, which sometimes created less than ideal conditions. However, I have been taught a lot during my education and have excelled in my classes. A handful of my teachers have been the kindest people ever and have impacted my life so much, while the rest of my teachers did absolutely nothing. I had the opportunity to take difficult and advanced classes as well as a foreign language and art classes. My school also sought to reward those who were working hard through gift card, free school function tickets, etc. The administration gives students opportunities to be involved in the school. There were several issues regarding inappropriate handling of school dress code by teachers and administration.... Read 363 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,819

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Madison County Schools, AL•

• PK, K-3

• grade A minus

• Students 530

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Huntsville City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-6

• grade A minus

• Students 269

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Madison County Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.43 out of 5  7 reviews

Middle School Student: Good. I guess, I was here for 2 years and I learned a lot. (Most of the time.) There are a lot of fights and drama.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 964

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Athens City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  113 reviews

Senior: My experience at AHS was good for the most part, the staff and students are very welcoming and loving. I think the worst parts of AHS were definitely the awareness of diversity; there was so many different cultures and races and nationalities, but they weren't really acknowledged or recognized. Another thing that wasn't so great was the dress code situations, when girls would wear ripped jeans or nose piercings or shorter sleeved shirts, we were told that we were trying to appeal to the male gaze. As a 14–18-year-old trying to figure out how to find themself in the real world and expressing themselves in different ways, nobody wants to be told that they are just trying to please the male audience. Some of the better things was the diversity and that everyone grew up together, so we were all acquainted with each other. When new students would come, they were welcomed into the school like anybody else would.... Read 113 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,121

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Huntsville City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Works Here: Hampton Cove Middle School is an excellent school all around! A wonderful place for students, teachers and staff!... Read 5 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 724

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Madison County Schools, AL•

• PK, K-3

• •
  Rating 3.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: Mt. Carmel is one of the best options available if you're looking for quality public elementary education in North Alabama. We've had two children come through in the last six years and can't recommend it highly enough! From an academic perspective, MTCES routinely ranks as a 9 or 10, in recent years even beating all but one or two Madison City elementaries on the state’s report card. Both of our children excelled here, especially in the G&T (ACE) program. They also benefited from ability grouping and extension. While we'd love to see Madison County invest more in early-age STEAM, arts, and language, we appreciated our kids' access to music and art, as well as diverse after-school clubs. The teachers here are highly-skilled and it shows! The culture of the school is warm, friendly, and inviting, with a strong PTA and events like Fall Festival and Color Run. Never had a single issue with bullying or "classroom disrupters" and we always pulsed frequently with our children.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 615

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Huntsville City Schools, AL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  343 reviews

Senior: Grissom High School is your average public high school, it excels in the number of classes offered but fails in the cleanliness and quality of the building. The building is only a couple of years old, but already we have maxed out the number of students the school can hold and teachers are having classes in storage rooms. There are a lot sweet teachers that genuinely care for the students, but the new building still needs a major upgrade.... Read 343 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,952

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Limestone County Schools, AL•

• 1-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: I am amazed at what a wonderful school this is. My child is thriving. The teachers we've had are great, we have received extra support when we have needed it and my child loves to go every day.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 543

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Huntsville City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Niche User: I toured 5 of the largest private schools in Huntsville/Madison to compare what every school was doing at my child's grade level and I came away so pleased with the quality of the education offered at HCES! Our students know how to engage the children and keep advanced learners busy and interested. From everything we have learned in 9 years in Huntsville, Hampton Cove is the best elementary education available in north Alabama.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 715

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Huntsville City Schools, AL•

• 6-8

• grade A minus

• Students 427

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Madison County Schools, AL•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 508

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Huntsville City Schools, AL•

• PK, K-6

• grade A minus

• Students 461

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1