By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Every public school district serving Shelby County is in the top 25 in the state, according to a list recently compiled by a national website.

Niche.com recently released its 2019 list of the best school districts in Alabama, which is “based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education,” according to the website.

The rankings include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district rankings and more.

Half of each district’s grade is based on academics, 15 percent is based on teacher grade, 10 percent is based on culture and diversity, 10 percent is based on parent and student surveys, 5 percent is based on health and safety, 5 percent is based on resources and facilities, 2.5 percent is based on clubs and activities and 2.5 percent is based on sports.

Hoover City Schools was the top-ranking school district serving Shelby County, coming in at No. 4 on the list. HCS earned grades of A for academics, A for teachers, A+ for clubs and activities, A+ for administration, A+ for food, A for diversity, A+ for college prep, A+ for health and safety, A- for sports and A+ for resources and facilities.

Alabaster City Schools came in next-highest of districts serving Shelby County, placing No. 15 on the list. ACS earned grades of B+ for academics, B+ for teachers, A- for clubs, A+ for administration, A- for food, A for diversity, A- for college prep, A for health and safety, B- for sports and B+ for resources and facilities.

Pelham City Schools followed at No. 20 on the list, earning grades of B for academics, A for teachers, B+ for clubs and activities, B+ for administration, B for food, A for diversity, A- for college prep, B+ for health and safety, B+ for sports and B- for resources and facilities.

Shelby County Schools came in at No. 22 on the list, earning grades of B+ for academics, B- for teachers, A- for clubs and activities, B+ for administration, B for food, B+ for diversity, A- for college prep, B+ for health and safety, A- for sports and B for resources and facilities.

To view the entire list, visit Niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/s/alabama/.