Niche ratings based on hard data, parent, student feedback

Area schools faired well in the recently-released Niche school rankings.

Andalusia City Schools16th in the top 100 systems in the state.

Andalusia Elementary School ranked 59th in the top 100 elementary schools.

Andalusia Middle School ranked 26th in the top 100 in Alabama.

Nationwide, Niche ranks more than 100,000 public and private schools and districts based on dozens of statistics and 27 million opinions from 300,000 students and parents

Schools and school systems are ranked based both upon parent- or student-submitted survey responses, as well as factual data. Using those factors, Niche produced a standardized score for each factor, and ranked schools and systems accordingly.

“We were pleased with the ratings,” Andalusia Superintendent of Education Ted Watson said. “We were tickled to receive the honor.

“They look at grades and feedback, and the polls came out favorably,” he said. “We know what’s happening here, but it’s nice when others take note of what’s going on.”

Watson said among the factors considered were scores on the statewide Aspire test.

Elsewhere in the county:

• Opp Middle School ranked 68th in the top 100 middle schools in the state.

• Florala High School ranked 65th of the top 100.

A number of schools or systems were not rated, Niche stated, because not enough public feedback has been received.