STATE OF SCHOOLS 2024
Two years ago, city officials and school board members shared a bold vision with me: to catapult our district into the top ten academic school systems in Alabama within the next four years. The mission was clear—nothing short of being the best among 138 school systems would suffice. Soon after, we identified school safety as our top priority while school finances and communication took center stage. Other critical aspects, such as accreditation, audits, evaluations, surveys, attendance, grant writing, awards and recognitions, new facilities, character development, arts, and athletics, were developed over time. All have now become designated areas of emphasis.
Fast forward to this past school year, and the data is nothing short of phenomenal! Nearly every metric has shown significant improvement, including attendance, ACAP, Advanced Placement (AP), ACT, and accountability scores. Remarkably, we are the only system in the state where all third graders read at or above grade level. In the spring of 2023, just one subgroup recorded an ACAP proficiency level of 80% or greater; this year, that number has surged to seven. Our ACAP results in Science, Math, and English Language Arts place us among the elite in the state.
The achievements and accolades over the past two years have been extraordinary. Our students and staff are on an unwavering quest for excellence in every endeavor. Our ultimate goal is to provide every student with a world-class education.
The following pages showcase these accomplishments, serving as a testament to the relentless hard work and dedication of our students and staff. Please read, reflect, and be inspired by what we have achieved together.
Randy Wilkes, Superintendent
SAFETY FIRST
Orange Beach City Schools prioritizes the safety of our students and staff above all else. Great strides were made this past school year to keep our schools safe.
Surveillance Cameras were installed at both campuses.
Centegix Badges were given to faculty and staff for emergency notifications.
Six New Cilmate Controlled Buses were purchased.
Seamless Drug Testing Protcols were established.
Two School Resource Officers were sent with students when traveling.
Door Access devices to regulate visitor access to schools.
HALO Vape Detectors installed in OBMHS bathrooms.
COGNIA ACCREDITATION
Cognia Accreditation is highly regarded globally, offering an independent indication of academic excellence in more than 90 countries. The accreditation process includes self-evaluation alongside impartial third-party assessment, enhancing the credibility of the Cognia Accreditation seal on a student’s academic records. The average score for this accreditation process is 253 and Orange Beach City Schools received a 329. The future is bright here in Orange Beach!
329 AUDIT
A Budget for a New School System That Worked!
Orange Beach City Schools completed its first independent financial audit, receiving the highest possible rating and an unmodified audit opinion. This truly reflects our unwavering commitment to transparency and sound financial management, demonstrating the reliability of the financial practices and reporting.
REVENUE SOURCES
Participating OBES Families reported...
• 95% feel welcome
• 95% feel they are treated with respect
• 94% feel the safety of their student is thought of
• 95% feel their child’s well-being is cared for
96% OF ALL STRATEGIC PLAN MEASURABLE OUTCOMES WERE MET OR EXCEEDED
CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM
Participating OBMHS Families reported...
• 93% feel welcome
• 94% feel they are treated with respect
• 95% feel the safety of their student is thought of
• 93% feel their child’s well-being is cared for
Orange Beach City Schools met all requirements for the following Special Education Indicators:
• Indicator 4: Suspensions/ Expulsions
• Indicator 9: Disproportionate Representation
• Indicator 10: Disproportionate Representation by Race/ Ethnicity
• Indicator 12: Early Childhood Transition
• Indicator 13: Secondary Transition
Orange Beach Elementary School 16% Orange Beach Middle & High School 18 or More Excused and Unexcused Absences
199 Students determined eligible for Gifted Education
9.5%
95 Students who receive Special Education services
$4,604,904 awarded to Orange Beach Schools through various grant opportunities
ORANGE BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ORANGE BEACH MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL
School of Distinction
School of Excellence
SUPERINTENDENT CIRCLE
OF DISTINCTION
The School Superintendents of Alabama organization announced its Superintendents of Distinction in June 2024. Orange Beach City Schools Superintendent, Randy Wilkes, was recognized for 13.5 years of service! His longevity tops the 10% mark for all sitting superintendents.
Sea, Sand, and Stars provides hands-on learning about the natural resources of the area for students. This unique learning resource is being transformed into an immersive learning environment to enhance the amazing work being done within its walls.
The Orange Beach Athletic Facility will include a 3,500-seat football stadium, a 1,200-seat competitive gymnasium, a twostory Kinesiology and Exercise Science Building, an eight-lane track, and a multi-purpose pavilion. Construction is underway for this state-of-the-art resource!
iLEAD CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Dr. John Maxwell’s iLead program cultivates leadership skills and values among students in a peer-to-peer environment, featuring sessions that cover topics such as attitude, commitment, and decision-making. Orange Beach City Schools takes pride in being the first school in Alabama to integrate this initiative into grades 7-12, prioritizing character development in line with its mission statement.
COMMUNICATIONS
Remind Messaging
158
Monthly Active Employees on Remind
2,618
Monthly Active Students and Parents
1,917,200
SchoolMessenger is an automated call-out system application that can be used by administrators to send notificiations to parents.
Annual Message Volume Over Last 365 Days
Websites are each tailored to the district or school level needs for finding the latest information.
ATHLETICS
VOLLEYBALL
2024 Regional Qualifiers
2023 Area Champions
2023 Regional Qualifiers
SOFTBALL
2024 MaxPreps National Champions
2024 4A State Champions
2024 Regional Champions
2024 Area Champions
2023 4A State Champions
2023 Area Champions
GIRLS SOCCER
2024 State Playoffs - Second Round
2023 Soccer Substate - First Round
GIRLS BASKETBALL
2024 Area Champions
2024 Regional Qualifiers
GIRLS BOWLING
2024 Area Champions
2024 State Appearance
ARTS
BAND
Marching band received all superior ratings at the Southeastern United States Marching Band Festival in Troy, AL.
Multiple middle school & high school students were selected for the South Alabama Marching Honor Band.
The concert band received all superior ratings at the Alabama Bandmaster’s Association Music Performance Assessment.
Multiple middle school & high school students were selected for the Southeastern United States Honor Band at Troy University.
A student was selected for Alabama All State Middle School Red Band.
THEATRE
2024 Thespian Festival: 9 Superior Ratings, Best Supporting Actor Award, 2 All-Star Cast Members
2024 Theatre-For-Youth Festival: 5 students in Top 3
2023 Thespian Festival: 4 Superior Ratings
2023 International Thespian Festival: 2 Superior Ratings
2023 Trumbauer District Festival: “Best in Show”- Group Musical
2023 Trumbauer State Festival: 1st Place (2 students), 2nd Place, (2 students), 16 Superiors
2022 Trumbauer District Festival: “Best in Show”- Group Musical
2022 Trumbauer State Festival: 11 Superior Ratings
ELEMENTARY CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
The elementary Christmas program showcased outstanding performances by students of all grade levels, featuring a mix of traditional and modern holiday songs. The production was a magical showcase of our students’ talents and hard work!
TO OUR LOCAL PARTNERS THANK YOU
BSN - Sideline Store
Costa Print
High Cotton
Paradise Promotions
The Orange Beach Store
Visual Effects
Looking Ahead for Orange Beach City Schools
• Continue to Improve Safety
• Secure the Right People
• Use Data to Drive Instruction
• Encourage Every Student to Establish Academic Goals
• Improve Communication
• Take Ownership of the Mako Way (Belief System)
THE MAKO WA Y
Respect | Trust | Integrity | Honesty | Caring
Orange Beach City Schools was founded on July 1, 2022, with a set of core values meticulously selected by our exceptional Board Members, always keeping in mind the character of the future students, faculty, and staff. These values include respect, trust, integrity, honesty, and caring. Being a member of the Orange Beach City Schools community means embodying these values in your everyday life, known as living ‘The Mako Way’.