Mobile, AL, Schools Offer Diverse Academic Opportunities That Prepare Students for Lifelong Success

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For families and students weighing their academic options, the Mobile County Public Schools System (MCPSS) and Alabama School of Math and Science (ASMS) offer much more than a well-rounded education; they provide a launchpad for lifelong success. Whether students dream of piloting planes, developing groundbreaking technology or running a business, the opportunities in Mobile’s schools are as diverse as the students themselves. 

Ready for Work 

The MCPSS Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and Signature Academies are designed to give students skills that match the needs of local industries. Schools work hand in hand with business leaders to ensure those programs stay relevant and students are prepared for success. 

The district’s programs are built around 16 career clusters, including engineering, information technology, advanced manufacturing, health care and aviation. Students receive hands-on training, earn industry-recognized certifications and complete internships with local businesses. 

“Through dual enrollment, apprenticeships and work-based learning, students leave high school with real experience and a competitive edge in the job market. Thanks to our partnership with the Mobile Chamber’s Workforce Alliance, we stay ahead of workforce trends and adjust our programs to match what employers need,” says Claire Minto, Signature Academies supervisor for Mobile County Public Schools. “We’re making sure students graduate ready to step into high-demand jobs or continue their education with a strong foundation.” 

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A Soaring Success 

Minto says the Signature Academies were created to give students greater control over their futures. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the district offers specialized programs that empower students to pursue careers aligned with their passions. 

“One of the biggest game changers has been school choice. Students can apply to an academy that fits their goals, even if it’s not at their zoned school,” Minto says. “Our career coaches help guide them every step of the way, connecting them with opportunities that match their interests. From STEM and robotics to cybersecurity and the arts, we’re giving students the tools to build successful futures, no matter where their passions take them.” 

A highlight of the Signature Academies is B.C. Rain High School’s Aviation and Aerospace Academy, which has achieved a historic milestone with the state’s first student-built airplane. 

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Minto says students in the Aviation and Aerospace Academy didn’t just follow a lesson plan – they became engineers, mechanics and problem-solvers. The project exemplifies an impactful educational approach. 

“They gained hands-on experience in aircraft assembly, learned to troubleshoot technical issues and worked as a team to bring the project to life. Along the way, they earned industry certifications and got a firsthand look at what a career in aviation might be like,” she says. 

Plus, through dual enrollment with Coastal Alabama Community College, students in the program can earn college credit toward becoming an aviation technician, giving them a major advantage when they graduate, she says. 

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

STEM-ulating Education 

At the Alabama School of Math and Science (ASMS) – a state-funded, residential high school that attracts some of Alabama’s brightest young minds – students dive deep into STEM subjects, conduct cutting-edge research and participate in leadership programs that rival those found at top universities. The school offers college-level classes that are designed to prepare future engineers and medical doctors. 

“Our goal is to generate homegrown talent in Alabama so we don’t have to import talent from other states or from overseas,” says Mitch Frye, academic dean of Alabama School of Math and Science. “We have internship partnerships with local companies. We have shadowing opportunities with companies like Airbus and Hargrove Engineers & Constructors, and our hope is that our students make connections with those employers. Then, no matter where they go to college, they’ll consider coming back to Mobile and working in the city.” 

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Well-Rounded Futures 

Frye says, while the school excels in STEM training, it offers students a robust and well-rounded curriculum that includes the humanities, arts programs and a leadership academy. 

“All of our teachers have at least a master’s degree and are experts in their fields. Our teachers also collaborate to teach interdisciplinary courses. For example, we recently had an art teacher who also works in industrial design. He collaborated with another teacher to put together a solar battery class, where students studied the design and implementation of solar batteries,” Frye says. 

Moving beyond the academic strengths provided by their expert and collaborative faculty, the school further invests in student development through various leadership programs. 

“Our Jo Bonner Leadership Academy teaches students how to be front-facing leaders. Anyone aspiring to a significant student leadership position has to pass the academy,” Frye says. “We emphasize service leadership where the student leaders work alongside their peers and set a good example.”