By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

Three high schools within Shelby County have been recognized as making the top 25 best high schools in the state of Alabama, according to a recent report from U.S. News & World Report.

Oak Mountain High School, Spain Park High School and Helena High School all made the top 25, including a top 10 ranking for both OMHS and SPHS.

The 2019 rankings from U.S. News & World Report reviewed more than 23,000 U.S. public high schools that included 357 Alabama schools making the list.

The rankings are compiled using a six-category methodology distribution placing 30 percent on college readiness, 20 percent on math and reading proficiency, 20 percent on math and reading performance, 10 percent on underserved student performance, 10 percent on college curriculum breadth and 10 percent on graduation rate.

With that in mind, Oak Mountain High School scored the highest ranking at No. 6 for high schools in Shelby County with an overall score of 96.24. The report states that “students at Oak Mountain have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Oak Mountain is 62 percent. The total minority enrollment is 21 percent and 11 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.” Oak Mountain also has a 94 percent graduation rate, a score of 41.9 for college readiness and an enrollment of 1,558 students.

The next highest ranking was Spain Park High School coming in at No. 9 with an overall score of 95.01. The report states that “students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Spain Park High School is 55 percent. The total minority enrollment is 37 percent and 18 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Spain Park also has a 96 percent graduation rate, a score of 43.3 for college readiness and an enrollment of 1,639 students.

Rounding out the top 25 was Helena High School coming in at No. 23 with an overall score of 88.78. The report states that “students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams. The AP participation rate at Helena High School is 58 percent. The total minority enrollment is 22 percent and 17 percent of students are economically disadvantaged. Helena High School also has a score of 34 for college readiness and an enrollment of 1,216 students. The graduation rate for HHS was not available.

The No. 1 ranked high school in the state of Alabama according to U.S. News & World Report was Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School out of Montgomery.

To view the full list of rankings, visit Usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/alabama/rankings.