Top Rankings
Decatur City School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public preschools serving 3,809 students in Decatur City School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Alabama.
Public Preschools in Decatur City School District have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Alabama public pre school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Alabama public preschool average of 48% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (AL)
# Schools
20 Schools
648 Schools
# Students
8,665 Students
310,670 Students
# Teachers
558 Teachers
18,546 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
District Rank
Decatur City School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 145 school districts in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 91% has increased from 87% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#75 out of 145 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
29%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
47%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
38%

Graduation Rate
91%
88%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.71
0.63
# American Indian Students
18 Students
3,275 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
85 Students
3,474 Students
% Asian Students
1%
1%
# Hispanic Students
3,029 Students
33,026 Students
% Hispanic Students
35%
11%
# Black Students
2,511 Students
93,822 Students
% Black Students
29%
30%
# White Students
2,489 Students
162,634 Students
% White Students
29%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
27 Students
315 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
506 Students
14,124 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
324
21,304
# Students in K Grade:
727
49,720
# Students in 1st Grade:
706
50,373
# Students in 2nd Grade:
705
48,594
# Students in 3rd Grade:
602
40,410
# Students in 4th Grade:
660
36,751
# Students in 5th Grade:
615
31,378
# Students in 6th Grade:
635
12,553
# Students in 7th Grade:
622
4,421
# Students in 8th Grade:
582
4,401
# Students in 9th Grade:
709
2,950
# Students in 10th Grade:
694
2,768
# Students in 11th Grade:
572
2,555
# Students in 12th Grade:
512
2,492
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,581 is higher than the state median of $13,006. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,752 is higher than the state median of $12,220. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$126 MM
$9,671 MM

Spending
$128 MM
$9,086 MM

Revenue / Student
$14,581
$13,006

Spending / Student
$14,752
$12,220

Best Decatur City School District Public Preschools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Eastwood Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1802 26th Ave Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3043
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3043
Grades: PK-5
| 270 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Frances Nungester Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
726 Tammy St Sw
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3079
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3079
Grades: PK-5
| 399 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Julian Harris Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1922 Mcauliffe Dr Sw
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3096
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3096
Grades: PK-5
| 348 students
Rank: #44.
Woodmeade Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1400 19th Ave Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3023
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3023
Grades: PK-5
| 351 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Austinville Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2320 Clara Ave Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3050
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3050
Grades: PK-5
| 418 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Oak Park Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1218 16th Ave Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3033
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3033
Grades: PK-5
| 517 students
Rank: #77.
Bankscaddell Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
211 Gordon Dr Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3040
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3040
Grades: PK-5
| 447 students
Rank: #88.
Chestnut Grove Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3205 Cedarhurst Dr Sw
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3092
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3092
Grades: PK-5
| 435 students
Rank: #99.
West Decatur Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
708 Memorial Dr Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3027
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3027
Grades: PK-5
| 363 students
Rank: n/an/a
Benjamin Davis Elementary School
Magnet School
417 Monroe Dr Nw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3025
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3025
Grades: PK-2
| 261 students
Recent Articles

Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.

How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.

February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.