Mobile County Public Schools Help Students Map Their Own Educational Path
Forget school zones. In Mobile County Public Schools (MCPSS), a student’s campus is defined by their interests rather than a residential boundary. From aviation to biomedical science, the district’s Signature Academies allow students to cross neighborhood lines to attend the high school that best fits their dreams.
“Our students have big dreams for their futures,” says Superintendent Chresal D. Threadgill. “As superintendent, it is my responsibility to ensure that our academic and career pathways help students achieve their career goals. If students have special interests in certain career fields, where they live should not be a barrier to them exploring their interests.”
These academies are built on a powerful premise: Students thrive when their education feels relevant. Each Signature Academy offers a specialized pathway fueled by industry partnerships and hands-on experience. Students gain early exposure through field trips, industry speakers and internships, often culminating in professional certifications before graduation.
“Signature Academies help students see a clear connection between what they learn in the classroom and the opportunities ahead of them,” says Claire Minto, supervisor of academies and work-based learning for MCPSS. “By partnering with local industries and colleges, we give students hands-on experiences that allow them to explore careers, earn certifications and build a pathway to college, technical training or the workforce right here in our community.”
Learning by Doing
Alma Bryant High School exemplifies the Signature Academy model’s ability to connect students to the industries that define Mobile’s geography and economy. For example, the school’s Coastal Studies Academy immerses learners in practical, region-specific training that extends far beyond traditional textbooks.
“Bryant’s Coastal Studies Academy stands out by connecting our learners directly to the world they live in every day. By tying academics to Mobile’s coastal economy and environment, students gain hands-on experience in fields like welding, hospitality and tourism, agriculture, and health science.
Students take courses on campus but also go out into the industry for shadowing and internships in a thriving Gulf Coast workforce.
Alma Bryant students are leaving our campus college or career ready,” says Principal David Sprinkle.
Along with coastal studies, students are given opportunities to specialize in tracks such as healthcare, agriculture and welding.
agriculture program
The Perfect 100
This commitment to innovation is yielding high-stakes results. This year, three MCPSS schools earned a 100 on the Alabama State Report Card: Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies, Council Traditional School and Eichold-Mertz School of Math, Science and Technology. A fourth school, Old Shell Road School of Creative and Performing Arts, scored a 99. All four were named among Alabama’s Top 25 schools.
Barton Academy’s high distinction is particularly notable. It is the only middle or high school in the state to receive a perfect 100 score, driven by its dedication to project-based learning, international studies and entrepreneurship.
Barton’s learning architecture empowers students to use their talents to solve real problems.
“We want students to understand that what they learn has a purpose beyond the classroom,” says William Edmonds, principal. “Through Project Based Learning, our students engage in meaningful experiences that challenge them to think creatively, work together, and use their individual talents to make a difference. They don’t have to wait until they are adults to have an impact. When our teachers give students opportunities to take ownership of their learning and connect it to the world around them, they begin to see themselves as people who can contribute to their community here in Mobile and to the world beyond.”
Outside the Box
“Innovation and academic excellence go hand in hand. When principals and teachers are willing to think outside the box and develop innovative programs, this creates buy-in from students,” Threadgill says. “Students want to achieve at the highest levels when they are presented with innovative, engaging, relevant, career-driven programs that capture their interests. Students enrolled in these programs perform better academically, and as a result, the Mobile County Public School System is able to graduate students who are both college and career ready.”
Get to Know Mobile, AL
Want to learn more about living and working in Mobile, AL? Check out the new edition of Livability Mobile – Coastal Alabama.