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Murphy High School

100 S Carlen St
Mobile, AL 36606
(School attendance zone shown in map)
2/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 1,254 students in grades 9-12, Murphy High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 10% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 29%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 24% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is lower than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Alabama state average of 48% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,254 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 82%
  • : 85% (Btm 50% in AL)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 10% (Btm 50%)
  • : 24% (Btm 50%)
  • : 18% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class="so-dt-title" id="top-rankings">Top Rankings

Murphy High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id="overview">School Overview
Murphy High School's student population of 1,254 students has declined by 15% over five school years.
The teacher population of 78 teachers has declined by 21% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,254 students
This chart displays total students of Murphy High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Murphy High School
Total Classroom Teachers
78 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Murphy High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Murphy High School by grade.
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id="school-rankings">School Rankings
Murphy High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,285 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Murphy High School is 0.44, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (AL)
#1046 out of 1285 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Murphy High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
10%
29%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Murphy High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Alabama by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
24%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Murphy High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Alabama by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
18%
38%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Murphy High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Alabama by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
17:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Murphy High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Alabama by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
1%
1%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in Murphy High School and percentage of American Indian public school students in Alabama by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Asian
1%
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Murphy High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Alabama by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
4%
11%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Murphy High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Alabama by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
73%
32%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Murphy High School and the percentage of Black public school students in Alabama by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
18%
52%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Murphy High School and the percentage of White public school students in Alabama by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Murphy High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Alabama by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Murphy High School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Alabama.
0.44
This chart displays the diversity score of Murphy High School and the public school average diversity score of Alabama by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
85%
88%
This chart displays graduation rate of Murphy High School and public school graduation rate of Alabama by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
61%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Murphy High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Alabama by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Murphy High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Alabama by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id="school-notes">School Notes
  • S.S. Murphy High School, located in Mobile, Alabama, is a public high school operated by the Mobile County Public School System.
  • History: In 1922, the Mobile County Public School System (MCPSS) began to plan for the construction of a new high school that would serve the entire county, as the facilities of Barton Academy were becoming overcrowded with soldiers returning from World War I. Prior to that time Barton Academy had been used as a public school. In 1923, the Mobile County School Board acquired 38 acres from the Carlen family for a site for their proposed high school complex, with room for a student body from 8th to 11th grade. The cornerstone of the school was laid on December 14, 1925, and on April 26, 1926, Mobile High School, later known as Murphy High School, opened. Construction costs totaled $850,000 for the first six buildings with an additional $200,000 spent on the gymnasium and the Olympic-size pool installed in 1930, leading to the local designation of the school as the "million-dollar high school".
  • The school was first known as Mobile High School, but two years after its opening the school's name was changed to Murphy High School in honor of Samuel Silenus Murphy, MCPSS superintendent who directed public education in Mobile from 1900-1926. While still called Murphy High School, the yearbook was called the "Mobile High Annual." At the change of the name to Murphy High School, the workers did not want to change the name of the yearbook. They agreed to shorten the name to "Mohian," or a shortened version of Mobile High Annual.
  • Murphy was selected in 1987 as a Presidential Model School by the U.S. Department of Education, and was placed in 1982 on the National Register of Historic Landmarks by the U.S. Department of the Interior. In 1994, Redbook Magazine named Murphy one of the top high schools in America and one of the biggest high schools in Alabama. In 1997, several Murphy students were featured in Seventeen Magazine.
  • Academics: Murphy attracts students from all over Mobile County. It has extensive offering of courses, including 14 courses of Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate program. Students at Murphy consistently score above the national average on SAT and ACT tests. Earning over $6.5 million in scholarships annually, an average of 65% of Murphy's seniors attend four-year colleges, and approximately 20% attend two-year colleges, including vocational training. From 1990-2003, Murphy had 24 National Merit semi-finalists, and 28 commended students. Nine students earned National Achievement Recognition. Murphy also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
  • School uniform: Murphy students are required to wear school uniforms.
  • Feeder patterns: The following middle schools feed into Murphy: Burns, Calloway-Smith, Denton, Eanes, Hillsdale, Pillans, Scarborough, and Washington.
<Â鶹¹û¶³´«Ã½ class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked Questions
What is Murphy High School's ranking?
Murphy High School is ranked #1046 out of 1,285 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Murphy High School often compared to?
Murphy High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Baker High School, Wp Davidson High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
10% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 29% AL state average), while 24% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Murphy High School?
The graduation rate of Murphy High School is 85%, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 88%.
How many students attend Murphy High School?
1,254 students attend Murphy High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
73% of Murphy High School students are Black, 18% of students are White, 4% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Murphy High School?
Murphy High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Murphy High School offer ?
Murphy High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Murphy High School part of?
Murphy High School is part of Mobile County School District.
In what neighborhood is Murphy High School located?
Murphy High School is located in the Carlen neighborhood of Mobile, AL.

School Reviews
1   2/17/2020
This is a horrible school. The school administration doesn't take the kids’ bullying action serious. There's no guidance at the school to ensure the kids' safety. The resources officer never are on duty but linger around and not concerned about the needs of the students. Please avoid this school. The principal never is concerned about the safety of the kids. Horrible School in Mobile ala.
- Posted by Parent - Tim
2   4/10/2012
We took our son out of our district just to attend the IB program here. It was the worst thing we ever did to him. No need to bore you with details. Let me just summarize by saying this school is not a school but a big juvenile detention center, and the IB program is basically a pathetic attempt at beautification. The administration is so overwhelmed that they cannot be bothered with the needs of students who are NOT getting into trouble. There are a few good teachers, but not enough to make it worthwhile. Don't waste a single day of your child's youth, as we had. Avoid this school at all costs.
- Posted by Parent - gapud

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 1,254 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 82%
  • : 85% (Btm 50%)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 10% (Btm 50%)
  • : 24% (Btm 50%)
  • : 18% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education

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