Mountain Brook,

I hope you are having a great summer. We are just days away from starting up our 2026-2027 school year and while the students are immersed in their summer reading, our teachers and staff are working diligently to prepare for the upcoming year. Below you will find some information highlighting last year’s accomplishments, what we’ve been working on over the summer months and what we’re looking forward to this school year. Enjoy! 

2025-2026 School Year Highlights:

• All six schools received a 99 or 100 on their school report card and the district received the top scores among all public schools in the state
  • Academic growth: 100
  • Academic achievement: 100
  • Graduation: 98.8
  • College and career readiness: 97.8
• 329 MBHS graduates will attend 63 different colleges and universities in 24 different states
• Recognized nine U.S. National Merit Finalists (Polly Allbritton, Max Benton, Jeb Blair, Eleanor Couch, Emmy Grace Cribbs, Ada Dapkus, Harrison Dobbins, Leo Eriksson, Sisi Holden)
• Our student athletes won a combined 7 state championships in school-sanctioned high school sports including boys cross country, girls cross country, girls indoor track, girls outdoor track, boys tennis, girls tennis and boys golf. Additionally, 19 student athletes from the class of 2026 signed to play their respective sport at the collegiate level.
• The MBHS Dorians dance team won their third straight national championship!

2026 Summer Activity:

• We welcomed over 500 educators from across the country for our annual Engage Learning Conference. Keynote speakers, panel discussions and teacher-led sessions fostered conversations around students in the classroom and how we can improve for each one of our students. Everyone left invigorated and excited to put their new knowledge to work this fall!
• Our teachers spent over 10,000 combined hours of professional development honing their craft as classroom teachers, leaders and innovators all for the benefit of our students.
• Our leadership team held strategic conversations as we focus on the direction and future of our school district as a whole.
• We welcomed dozens of new teachers during our 5-day New Teacher Institute. These days allowed for Q&A, learning sessions, games, activities, and much more as our newest instructors learn about our purpose and culture.

Administrative Changes:

• The following individuals have moved into new leadership positions across our district and in our schools:
  • District Director of Personnel: Nathan Pitner (Former Brookwood Forest Elementary Principal)
  • District Curriculum Specialist: Lindsay Webster (joining from Pelham City Schools)
  • Mountain Brook High School Principal: Lars Porter (Former MBHS Assistant Principal)
  • Mountain Brook High School Assistant Principal: Shannon Marks (Former MBHS English Teacher)
  • Mountain Brook Junior High Assistant Principal: Kristi Moncrief (Former Lead Special Education Teacher at Brookwood Forest)
  • Brookwood Forest Elementary Principal: Ashley Crossno (Former BWF Assistant Principal)
  • Brookwood Forest Elementary Assistant Principal: Sammye Davis (Former BWF Reading Coach)

As you can tell, we stay busy around here! Thank you for your support of our students, teachers and staff. We could not do what we do without your great support. I encourage you to get involved if you have not already done so with the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation, ALL IN Mountain Brook or the PTO. We are grateful for their work and your support!

Let’s have a great school year!

Dicky Barlow