MADISON – A group that analyzes education standards nationally has ranked Madison City Schools as the no. 2 district among the 137 systems in Alabama.

Niche research group has placed MCS near the top of the list, with Mountain Brook City Schools as the first-place choice. Other districts from North Alabama in the top ten are city schools for Muscle Shoals (seventh place), Hartselle (eighth), Florence (ninth) and Cullman (tenth).

“Equally impressive is how individual schools fared,” MCS Public Relations Manager John Peck said. “Both Bob Jones and James Clemens placed in the top five high schools in Alabama out of more than 300 statewide. Both Discovery and Liberty middle schools were in the top six middle schools.”

All seven Madison elementary schools ranked in the top 20 out of 770 statewide. Madison elementary campuses in the top 10 were Columbia (third), Horizon (fourth), Heritage (fifth) and Rainbow (sixth).

MCS Superintendent Robert V. Parker said, “The rankings are a direct result of teachers, staffs and local administrators. I am so proud of each of you. You are all life changers.”

Overall, MCS’ grade from Niche was A+. Analysts calculated the grade based on categories, such as Academics (A), Diversity (A-), Teachers (A), College Prep (A+), Clubs & Activities (A+) and Health & Safety (A+).

Niche used 10,011 students for MCS enrollment with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1. In math, 72 percent of students are proficient, while 67 percent are proficient in reading.

Average graduation rate for twelfth-graders is 97 percent. Madison students averaged 1300 on SAT scores (1600 maximum score). The average ACT score was 27 (36 maximum score).

In Madison, 21 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Niche placed the average teacher’s salary at $54,698. Percentage of teachers working in first/second year is 9.9.

In finances, the Madison district’s total expenses are $93,475,000, according to Niche. The expenses per student in Madison are $10,972, compared to the national average of $12,239.

For more information, visit niche.com. Click “K12” and type “Madison City Schools.”