Tharptown E1716218987936 — Students pose with their rocket during the 2024 national competition in Virginia. (Tharptown High School)

A team from Tharptown High School walked away from the 2024 American Rocketry Challenge with a trophy in hand. And now a new group from the school is hoping to repeat as champions when they go back to Virginia in May.

Tharptown is one of six Alabama schools to make it into the top 100 of this year’s competition. There will be nine total teams from those six schools, including:

Tharptown High School (2 teams)
Russellville High School (2 teams)
Muscle Shoals High School (2 teams)
Lawrence County High School
Columbia High School
Tuscumbia City Schools

Haleyville High School had a team just miss out on the top 100. It has been listed among the 20 alternate teams for the finals.

2025 American Rocketry Challenge

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A record breaking 1,001 teams participated in the 2025 American Rocketry Challenge, its 23rd year of competition. The top 100 teams earned an invitation to compete at the National Finals on May 17 for a chance to win $100,000 in prizes and the title of National Champion.

The champion will represent the United States + compete at the International Rocketry Challenge in June at the Paris Air Show. Tharptown finished second at the international competition last summer.

“The American Rocketry Challenge has been instrumental in fostering a passion for aerospace and engineering among students. This yearlong program not only teaches technical skills but also inspires teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. The impact of this competition is evident in the enthusiasm and talent of participants. I am excited to see how these bright innovators will continue to shape the future of STEM.”
Jessica Pedersen, AIA Senior Director for American Rocketry Challenge and STEM Engagement

To qualify for the National Finals, participating teams designed, built, and launched model rockets that carry two raw eggs to an altitude of 790 feet, stay airborne for between 41 and 44 seconds, and return the rocket to the ground safely.

The National Finals will take place at Great Meadow in The Plains, VA, on May 17. The requirements for the National Finals will be modified to introduce a new challenge to the teams.