Shelby County, AL (WIAT) - The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its annual *Kids Count* report. The independent study breaks down the best places to raise a child.

Alabama falls into the middle of the pack nationally, but Shelby County is among one of the best places to raise a child.

There's more than a dozen factors that go into the rankings, but one of the keys is education.

The study factors in first grade retention and graduation rates.
Shelby County scored among the highest in both.

Superintendent Randy Fuller says it’s a credit to faculty and staff members who go above and beyond to find students who may be struggling.

“We work intensely every year to identify students that need help and work with students to prepare students for graduation. Our leaders within our schools identify these students and they follow these students and give them the best opportunity to graduate and we're really proud of that."

Good schools and a solid Pre-K offering are two of the reasons that Jennifer Chadha says she moved her family to Shelby County.

Chadah says that she grew up in Shelby County and wanted to be sure her children had the opportunities she had while growing up.

Jennifer Whisenant with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce says that businesses weigh the quality of life of an area when choosing to expand or relocate.

Whisenant adds that the study just giver the Chamber more ammunition when recruiting businesses to the area.

"The first thing this morning I saw the headline on that and I thought ‘this is great news!’ I made a copy of the article and I thought that's something I can use in promoting our county."

John Hosmer retired to Shelby County. Hosmer says the counties solid reputation and growing economy were part of that decision. He adds that he’s even more encouraged now to see he made a wise decision.

"It just says that Shelby County has a lot to offer to the families and my grand kids... It's great to know that... And that's one of the reasons we moved here from Birmingham."