By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Three high schools in Shelby County were recently named among the top in the state for preparing students for college, according to a list from a national website.

The Niche.com website recently released its 2017 list of the best schools in the nation and in each state. Included in the overall school system ranking was a list of the top high schools in Alabama for preparing students for success at the next level of their education.

The rankings were based on overall graduation rates, AP class enrollment, SAT and ACT scores, state standardized test scores “and the quality of colleges that students consider.”

According to the website, 25 percent of the rankings were based on the average score of colleges students are interested in or go on to attend, 20 percent is based on student and parent surveys on college readiness and 10 percent each goes to AP test pass rate, composite SAT/ACT scores, culture and diversity grades, graduation rate and state assessment proficiency. Five percent of the rankings are based on the percentage of students enrolled in at least one AP course.

The top local high school on the list was Spain Park High School in Hoover, which came in at No. 5. Spain Park earned an overall grade of A-plus on the website, and an A-plus in the college readiness category.

Spain Park had a 95 percent average graduation rate, a 1300 average SAT score, a 27 average ACT score and 30 percent AP enrollment, according to the site. Spain Park’s students were most interested in attending Auburn University, The University of Alabama, UAB, Samford University and the University of South Alabama.

Oak Mountain High School in North Shelby came in at No. 10 on the list, and earned an overall grade of A and a grade of A in the college readiness category on the website. Oak Mountain posted an average graduation rate of 97 percent, an average SAT score of 1310, an average ACT score of 28 and 16 percent AP enrollment.

Oak Mountain students were most interested in attending Auburn University, The University of Alabama, UAB, Samford University and Vanderbilt University.

Thompson High School in Alabaster came in at No. 23 on the list, scoring an overall grade of B-plus and a grade of A-minus in the college readiness category. Thompson posted an average graduation rate of 97 percent, an average SAT score of 1110, an average ACT score of 25 and a 15-percent AP enrollment, according to the site.

THS students were most interested in attending The University of Alabama, UAB, Auburn University, The University of South Alabama and Troy University.

To view Niche.com’s entire list, visit https://www.niche.com/k12/rankings/public-high-schools/best-outcomes/s/alabama.