HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — U.S. News and World Report ranked New Century Technology High School as the number two school in Alabama, and that accomplishment is a credit to its hard-working students.

“I feel so seen and empowered, because I feel like it’s a group effort when it comes to this school,” senior Alice Williams said.

Students and faculty gathered in the school’s theater to celebrate the accomplishment on Monday and highlight some students.

“I’d say I don’t know if there’s another school more deserving than us. We have such a devoted student body that it makes sense we’d achieve these high standards,” junior Akash Singhal said.

“I think our school is truly amazing. It provides an experience like no other school does,” said junior Zadie Boyd.

The report gave New Century Technical High School an overall score of 98.4 out of 100, factoring in AP class enrollment, curriculum proficiency, and college readiness. The school also has a collection of students who scored 30 or above on their ACT this year.

Williams is one of those students who scored high on the college entrance exam and says prep work is key.

“We definitely put a high emphasis on not only studying for the test, but making sure we practice a lot and go over the types of questions and make sure everyone has a different strategy that suits their individual personality,” Williams said.

But, of course, these students say they could not be successful without the support of their teachers.

“We are constantly supported by our administration. Like every single idea I could bring up to our principal or assistant principal, they support it fully,” Boyd added.

New Century Technology High School Principal Heather White also said in the celebration that the next step for the school is to be ranked number one.