CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman City Schools this week said the Cullman High School Class of 2027 has earned the highest ACT performance of any class over the past decade.
“The Class of 2027 recorded the highest average composite ACT score in the past seven years while also posting the highest average scores in English, Reading, Mathematics and Science during that same period. These exceptional results reflect the district’s unwavering commitment to providing every student with a rigorous, engaging and well-rounded educational experience.”
Compared to students’ pre-ACT performance, the Class of 2027 demonstrated impressive academic growth in every tested area:
Composite: 21.56 (+2.85)
English: 21.75 (+4.82)
Reading: 22.66 (+2.79)
Mathematics: 20.30 (+1.52)
Science: 21.07 (+2.31)
“Seeing these increases and growth is no surprise to me,” said Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff. “Cullman High School is home to outstanding teachers, a dedicated administrative team, and, most importantly, high-achieving students and families who value education.”
Kallhoff emphasized that these ACT results are the product of a school system intentionally focused on developing students far beyond standardized testing.
“In Cullman City Schools, we challenge students to think critically, solve complex problems, collaborate with others and make sound decisions,” he said. “Those transferable skills naturally translate into success on the ACT, but more importantly, they prepare our students for college, careers, military service and life.”
Cullman High School Principal Allison Tuggle said the ACT results reflect years of intentional work by students, teachers, and families.
“This class has given us so many reasons to be proud, and these ACT results are just one more example of what can happen when students are surrounded by teachers who believe in them and families who support them every step of the way,” Tuggle said. “I have had the privilege of watching these students grow, not only academically, but as leaders, teammates, artists, musicians and young men and women of character. Their success is a reflection of countless hours of hard work, determination and the unwavering commitment of our faculty to help every student reach his or her full potential.”
From Cullman City Schools:
The ACT achievement is the latest in a series of recognitions that continue to distinguish Cullman City Schools as one of Alabama’s premier public school systems.
Recent accomplishments include ranking in the 94th percentile nationally in reading and the 89th percentile nationally in mathematics according to the Education Recovery Scorecard, placing Cullman City Schools among the highest-performing districts in the nation. The district also led the State of Alabama in workforce readiness, with 87% of the Class of 2025 meeting the ACT WorkKeys College and Career Readiness benchmark, demonstrating that students are graduating prepared for both higher education and the workforce.
These academic accomplishments complement a school system that continues to invest heavily in opportunities beyond the classroom. Cullman City Schools has developed one of Alabama’s most comprehensive STEM initiatives, including a state-of-the-art STEM and Career Technical Education wing at Cullman High School, expanded engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, health science, animal science, marketing, teaching and training, and other career pathway programs, while providing STEM learning opportunities beginning in the elementary grades.
The district’s commitment to excellence has also earned national recognition. In 2024, East Elementary School was named a National Blue Ribbon School, one of the highest honors awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Additionally, Cullman City Schools has consistently ranked among Alabama’s top-performing school systems in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science while earning an A on the Alabama State Report Card for several consecutive years.
“Our vision has never been simply to produce high ACT scores,” Kallhoff said. “Our goal is to graduate young people who are prepared to lead, innovate, and contribute to their communities. Whether that path leads to a university, technical school, military service or directly into the workforce, we want every graduate to leave Cullman City Schools ready for success.”
He added, “These ACT results are not an isolated success. They are another indicator that our students are thriving because of the incredible work taking place throughout our entire school system. We are proud of our teachers, administrators, support staff, parents and students for continuing to raise the bar and proving that excellence is the expectation in Cullman City Schools.”
