Forest Avenue Academic Magnet is Alabama's top public elementary school in the new U.S. News list. Bear Exploration Center ranked 10th and MacMillan 12th.
Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School is the top-ranked public elementary school in Alabama, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report list.
Two more Montgomery Public Schools elementary campuses made the state’s top 25:
- Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School: No. 1
- Bear Exploration Center: No. 10
- MacMillan International Academy: No. 12
The district announced the rankings Wednesday. It called them the U.S. News & World Report 2027 rankings.
“This recognition reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and school leaders, and the support of our families,” Superintendent Zickeyous Byrd said in the district’s announcement.
How U.S. News ranks schools
The rankings are based on student performance on state-required standardized tests, graduation readiness and academic context, the district said. Schools near the top show high proficiency in reading and math, along with strong student growth.
What the state report card says
All three schools also earned an A on Alabama’s own measure. The Alabama State Department of Education state report card for 2024-25 gave them these scores out of 100:
| School | Address | 2024-25 grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Avenue Magnet | 1700 W. Fifth St. | A | 100 |
| Bear Exploration Center | 2525 Churchill Drive | A | 99 |
| MacMillan International Academy | 4015 McInnis Road | A | 95 |
Montgomery Public Schools as a whole earned a C, with 75 points, on the same report card.
All three are magnet schools
None of the three has an attendance zone. Students apply through the district’s magnet program, according to the Montgomery Public Schools magnet schools page. Families do not need to live in a particular zone to apply.
What it means for you
- Applying for 2027-28: the standard magnet application window opens in January. Families apply online through SchoolMint.
- Questions: the MPS Magnet Office is at 334-223-6927.
- Each school’s details: grades, enrollment, principals and phone numbers are on our pages for Forest Avenue, Bear and MacMillan, and the full district is on our public schools page.
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