Barlow talks on “What’s Right With Our Schools”

Dicky Barlow, superintendent of Mountain Brook Schools, addressed the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce on “What’s Right With Our Schools” at its quarterly luncheon on May 9.

Barlow began by recognizing the Board of Education, principals, central office directors, teachers and parents who all work toward the mission to be effective, challenging and engaging for every student.

“One great thing is our sense of collaboration and unity,” he said. “It's not important to say ‘I’ but to say ‘we.’”

Barlow also spoke of the city’s involvement with the schools, citing how Police Chief Ted was in his office discussing how to make schools safer within an hour of receiving news of the Sandy Hook tragedy earlier this year. There is now an additional school resource officer in the schools, and officers now patrol inside the schools and not just outside, Barlow said.

Overall, Barlow concluded that there is not a formula for Mountain Brook Schools; they are what they are because of the community.

During his talk, he spelled out many figures that showed just what is right with Mountain Brook Schools:

• Fifty-eight percent of the $47 million budget for the schools comes from local revenue, a figure Barlow said is unheard of in the state.
• The Mountain Brook Schools Foundation has given away $5 million to schools for professional development, technology and libraries.
• 96 percent of students met or exceeded early literacy standards.
• 97 percent of sixth to eighth graders passed math standards.
• 99 percent of fifth to seventh graders passed science standards.
• Last year the high school administered 986 AP tests, and 89 percent made a 3 or higher on a scale of 1-5. The high school offers 21 AP classes.
• This year the high school had a record 29 National Merit Finalists.
• The average ACT score for students is 26.7, a record high; 21.1 is the national average.
• The average SAT score for students is 1864; 1498 is the national average.
• Ninety-eight percent of graduates attend four-year colleges and universities.
• MBHS has won 144 state sports championships, more than any other school in the state.