By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

Eight local middle schools were recently listed among the best public middle schools in Alabama by Niche.com, a national ranking website. Middle schools from the Hoover City, Shelby County, Alabaster City and Pelham City school systems were ranked in the top 50 in Alabama on the Best Public Middle Schools list.

Berry Middle School, from the Hoover City School System, came in ninth on the list.

From the Shelby County School System, Chelsea, Oak Mountain, Helena and Columbiana middle schools came in 22nd, 26th, 29th and 40th, respectively.

Both Alabaster City Schools’ Thompson Middle School and Thompson Sixth Grade Center made the list, with the former coming in 33rd and the latter coming in 37th.

Riverchase Middle School, from the Pelham City School System, came in 43rd on the list.

According to Niche.com, the Best Public Middle Schools ranking list represents a “comprehensive assessment of the overall experience at public middle schools” across America and Puerto Rico. Niche.com examined data and opinion surveys from nearly 24,000 schools. Of those schools, 19,710 received a ranking.

“A high ranking indicates that the school is an exceptional academic institution with a diverse set of high-achieving students and faculty, and the students are very happy with their experiences,” the Niche.com website reads.

To see the full Best Public Middle Schools in Alabama list, visit K12.niche.com/rankings/public-middle-schools/best-overall/s/alabama/.