RUSSELLVILLE – Russellville High School has been ranked as the No. 1 Standout High School in Alabama by the school ranking site Niche.com, a great honor for RHS and for the school system as a whole.
In order to be considered for this ranking, schools had to meet certain criteria. While similar lists released in the past only considered factors such as test scores, the percent of students who go on to attend college, and student/teacher ratios, the list for Standout High Schools in Alabama took other issues into consideration as well. RCS superintendent Heath Grimes said he believes that gives a more accurate representation of the achievement and growth taking place at RCS.
While factors such as ACT/SAT test scores and colleges attended are still factored into this list, Niche also considered factors such as the percentage of students considered to be economically disadvantaged; the percentage of economically disadvantaged students who are math- and reading-proficient; the percentage of economically disadvantaged students who graduate high school; the percentage of minority students who graduate; and the student racial diversity index.
Grimes said these are certainly factors that RHS and the school system as a whole have to deal with and work with on a daily basis. At Russellville High School, 63 percent of the student population receives free or reduced lunch based on economic status. And according to Niche, RHS is also ranked No. 15 out of 376 schools for Most Diverse High Schools in Alabama.
But Grimes said the fact RHS was ranked No. 1 for Standout High Schools in Alabama with these factors considered is a testament to the caliber of students and teachers Russellville City Schools has.
“We strive to teach our students that no matter what kind of disadvantage you may have—economically, academically, physically or otherwise—you can still do great things,” he said. “Our disadvantages don’t have to define us. Our disadvantages don’t have to be an excuse to not try hard. We have to use these things to motivate us to be better, work harder and achieve more.
“Yes, we have several uphill battles we face daily at our schools in different areas, but it’s not something we use as an excuse, because we fully believe that diversity and challenges should be embraced and should be approached with an overcomer’s attitude instead of a defeatist or excuse-giver’s attitude. The result of this approach is what is reflected by this first-place ranking. The result is making achievements and meeting goals that truly show the hard work, dedication and perseverance our students and faculty have [in] overcoming these obstacles no matter what, and the effect things like our AP program through A+ College Ready have. When you have many factors working against you and you’re still able to achieve and succeed, that is what I believe is truly commendable.
“We may not have the advantages that some systems have in certain areas, but we do have the advantage of having self-motivated students and teachers who are constantly pursuing excellence. In my opinion, that’s the best kind of advantage to have, and this is something our community should be proud of.”
