Top 10 Public High Schools in Alabama in 2027
New Century Technology High School in Huntsville is the best public high school in Alabama, ranked #1 in the state and #131 nationally by U.S. News for 2026-2027. It is a STEM magnet program with 366 students. Homewood High School (#212 nationally) and Mountain Brook High School (#215) follow.
At a glance
| # | Pick | U.S. News rank | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Century Technology High School | #1 in Alabama, #131 nationally (2026-2027) | A STEM magnet school ranked #1 in Alabama |
| 2 | Homewood High School | #2 in Alabama, #212 nationally (2026-2027) | The highest-ranked school here outside Huntsville |
| 3 | Mountain Brook High School | #3 in Alabama, #215 nationally (2026-2027) | A three-year high school with 985 students |
| 4 | Vestavia Hills High School | #4 in Alabama, #533 nationally (2026-2027) | A large 10-12 school with a separate freshman campus |
| 5 | Hewitt-Trussville High School | #5 in Alabama, #679 nationally (2026-2027) | A four-year school with 1,571 students in Trussville |
| 6 | Fairhope High School | #6 in Alabama, #701 nationally (2026-2027) | The only school on this list in Baldwin County |
| 7 | Spain Park High School | #7 in Alabama, #782 nationally (2026-2027) | A Hoover school ranked #782 nationally |
| 8 | Oak Mountain High School | #8 in Alabama, #818 nationally (2026-2027) | A Shelby County school with 1,648 students |
| 9 | James Clemens High School | #9 in Alabama, #942 nationally (2026-2027) | The largest school on this list, with 2,159 students |
| 10 | Arab High School | #10 in Alabama, #991 nationally (2026-2027) | A smaller school with 735 students |
Pick by what you want
The ranking
New Century Technology High School
New Century Technology High School in Huntsville is #1 in Alabama and #131 nationally. Rocket City Mom describes it as a STEM magnet program in Huntsville City Schools, and NCES lists 366 students in grades 9-12.
Homewood High School
Homewood High School in Homewood is #2 in Alabama and #212 nationally, with 1,333 students in grades 9-12 according to NCES.
Mountain Brook High School
Mountain Brook High School in Mountain Brook is #3 in Alabama and #215 nationally. NCES lists it as a grade 10-12 school with 985 students.
Vestavia Hills High School
Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills is #4 in Alabama and #533 nationally, with 1,625 students in grades 10-12. Ninth graders attend the separate Freshman Campus, which has 548 students.
Hewitt-Trussville High School
Hewitt-Trussville High School in Trussville is #5 in Alabama and #679 nationally, with 1,571 students in grades 9-12 according to NCES.
Fairhope High School
Fairhope High School in Fairhope, Baldwin County, is #6 in Alabama and #701 nationally, with 1,536 students in grades 9-12.
Spain Park High School
Spain Park High School in Hoover is #7 in Alabama and #782 nationally, with 1,472 students in grades 9-12 according to NCES.
Oak Mountain High School
Oak Mountain High School in Shelby County is #8 in Alabama and #818 nationally, with 1,648 students in grades 9-12.
James Clemens High School
James Clemens High School in Madison is #9 in Alabama and #942 nationally. With 2,159 students in grades 9-12, NCES shows it as the largest school on this list.
Arab High School
Arab High School in Arab, Marshall County, is #10 in Alabama and #991 nationally, with 735 students in grades 9-12 according to NCES.
How we ranked these
Questions people ask
What is the best public high school in Alabama?
New Century Technology High School in Huntsville is #1 in Alabama and #131 nationally in the U.S. News 2026-2027 Best High Schools ranking, followed by Homewood High School (#212 nationally) and Mountain Brook High School (#215).
Can any student attend New Century Technology High School?
It is a STEM magnet program in Huntsville City Schools, not a neighborhood school, so check the district’s magnet application information. Rocket City Mom says magnet selection in the district is lottery based.
Which school on this list has the most students?
James Clemens High School in Madison has 2,159 students, the most of the ten, according to NCES.
Why do Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills list only grades 10-12?
NCES lists both high schools as grades 10-12. Vestavia Hills has a separate Freshman Campus for grade 9 with 548 students.
Enrollment (NCES, 2024-2025) at a glance
Official sites
- New Century Technology High School · huntsvillecityschools.org
- Homewood High School · hhs.homewood.k12.al.us
- Mountain Brook High School · mbhs.mtnbrook.k12.al.us
- Vestavia Hills High School · vhhs.vhcs.us
- Hewitt-Trussville High School · hths.tcsk12.us
- Fairhope High School · fairhopehs.com
- Spain Park High School · sphs.hoovercityschools.net
- Oak Mountain High School · shelbyed.k12.al.us
- James Clemens High School · jchs.madisoncity.k12.al.us
- Arab High School · arabcityschools.org
Sources
- bhamnow.com
- rocketcitymom.com
- nces.ed.gov
- nces.ed.gov
- nces.ed.gov
- nces.ed.gov
- nces.ed.gov
- nces.ed.gov
- nces.ed.gov
- nces.ed.gov
- nces.ed.gov
- nces.ed.gov
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