Dozens of local scholars recognized after scoring in the top performance tiers on the 2025-2026 state assessment.

BRIGHTON, AL— Brighton School celebrated a major academic milestone as top-performing students were officially presented with the prestigious Margaret Z. Beard ACAP Award, honoring exceptional achievement on state standardized testing.

The annual award recognizes scholars who demonstrated superior academic proficiency on the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) Summative Test. To qualify for the distinction, students were required to earn top marks across all tested subjects, scoring exclusively Level 3 and Level 4, the highest performance bands achievable on the state assessment.

"Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence have truly paid off. Brighton School is incredibly proud of your accomplishments. Keep reaching for the stars!" -Brighton School Administration

School administrators, faculty, and family members gathered during a special ceremony to applaud the recipients for their rigorous study habits and dedication to academic growth.

Understanding the Standard

The ACAP Summative Test measures student mastery of core state standards across multiple disciplines:

• Level 4: Exceeds grade-level standards; demonstrates advanced understanding.
• Level 3: Meets grade-level standards; demonstrates proficient understanding.
• Level 2 / Level 1: Partially meets or does not yet meet grade-level benchmarks.

By securing straight 3s and 4s, this year’s honorees placed in the upper echelon of student achievement. School leaders noted that the award winners serve as key role models as Brighton School continues to cultivate a culture of excellence in the classroom.