In only their second year as a separate school system, Orange Beach City Schools is celebrating several recent significant academic achievements.

At the beginning of the month, it was announced that Orange Beach Elementary School was recognized as the best elementary school in Baldwin County by U.S. News and World Reports.

According to the website, 76% of the students are proficient in reading and 84% are proficient in mathematics, which contributed to their ranking.

Additionally, the middle/high school was also recently recognized by the Alabama Department of Education after exceeding their PSAT and ACT score goals.

"Orange Beach Middle and High School was recognized by the Alabama State Department of Education as an A+ college ready school of distinction and A+ college ready school of excellence," Superintendent Randy Wilkes wrote in a Nov. 10 press release. "The middle school received the 'School of Distinction' award for meeting or exceeding its PSAT goals for two years in the program. Orange Beach High School received the 'School of Excellence' award for exceeding its individual goals for qualifying scores on the spring 2022 Advanced Placement exams by increasing the number of AP qualifying scores."

According to the release, Hewitt-Trussville City Schools, near Birmingham, was the only other school system in the state to have both middle and high schools receive awards.

Rounding out their recent accomplishments, the college board recently announced that Orange Beach Middle and High School has been named to the Advanced Placement program school honor roll, earning the school a "bronze" distinction.

Currently, there are 12 AP courses available at the school and nine AP teachers.

The AP program provides students to earn college-credit, while in high school. The courses provide college-level education and culminate in a final exam that requires students to utilize critical thinking and craft solid arguments to prepare them for a college career.

"The AP school honor roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access," Wilkes said in a Nov. 13 release. "Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing 'college-going' culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximizing college readiness."

According to Wilkes, the honor roll features four levels of distinction: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. In order for a school to be recognized, they must meet the following requirements for students in the most recent graduating class of 2022-2023:

• 40% or more of the graduating cohort took at least one AP Exam during high school;
• 25% or more of the graduating cohort scored a three or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school;
•  2% or more of the graduating cohort took five or more AP exams during high school;
•  At least one of the exams were taken in ninth or tenth grade;
• Full-time grade-12 enrollments;
•  Located within the United States.

According to Wilkes, the school went above those requirements, as 51% of students in the most recent class took at least one AP exam during high school, 25% scored above a three on their exams, and 3% of the senior students took five or more exams.

"The Advanced Placement program, a set of college-level courses and exams, prepares students for college coursework's rigors and high expectations," said Chris Shaw, Orange Beach Middle and High School principal. "The students are much more prepared and know what to expect when they arrive on campus."