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Average

#67 of 206 private schools in AL

Top 32% of private schools

Decatur Heritage Christian Academy

School

3802 SPRING AVE SW, Decatur, AL 35601

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 21 schools in Decatur. Learn more

Enrollment

323

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Decatur

#2 of 4

public schools

Alabama schools

#30 of 124

Academic performance

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Decatur Heritage Christian Academy

Decatur Heritage Christian Academy serves 323 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Decatur, Alabama, earning an impressive 9.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks 39th out of 206 schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile among Alabama schools. With 35 full-time equivalent teachers, the academy maintains an excellent 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention and stronger teacher-student relationships.

This smaller class size environment can be particularly beneficial for students who thrive with more personalized instruction and support. The school operates as a regular public school serving families in the surrounding community, where the median household income is $46,276 and median home values average $135,100. About 19% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 18.4%.

As a comprehensive K-12 institution, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy provides continuity for families seeking a consistent educational environment from elementary through high school graduation. The strong statewide ranking suggests the school is effectively serving its student body and maintaining high educational standards. The academy is situated in a rural area near town, offering students a quieter learning environment while still maintaining access to community resources and opportunities in the greater Decatur area.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Decatur Heritage Christian Academy compares to 21 public schools serving similar grades in Decatur, AL

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
This School
vs
16.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
323
This School
vs
494
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
7.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 84.5% vs 0%
Black 9.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 3.4% vs 0%
Asian 1.2% vs 0%
Decatur Heritage Christian Academy Decatur Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Decatur Heritage Christian Academy (this school) 6.8
Frances Nungester Elementary School 8.2
Chestnut Grove Elementary School 6.6
Austin Middle School 5.7
Austinville Elementary School 8.7
Austin Junior High School 6.5
Woodmeade Elementary School 8.5
Walter Jackson Elementary School 9.0
Julian Harris Elementary School 9.3
Austin High School 5.9
Oak Park Elementary School 8.2
Decatur High Developmental 7.7
Decatur High School 7.0
Eastwood Elementary School 8.6
Decatur Middle School 5.5
West Decatur Elementary School 7.5
BanksCaddell Elementary School 7.6
Benjamin Davis Elementary School 9.8
Priceville Junior High School 5.4
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School 8.4
Priceville High School 4.0

Showing 20 of 21 schools. View all schools in Decatur

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AL.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,225
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 27%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 323
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AL

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 84.5%
Black 9.3%
Hispanic 3.4%
Two or More 1.5%
Asian 1.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

3802 SPRING AVE SW, Decatur, AL 35601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Decatur Heritage Christian Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Benjamin Davis Elementary School (rated 9.8/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Julian Harris Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walter Jackson Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ST ANN SCHOOL Decatur 0.3 mi 6.7
ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur 0.3 mi 7.5
Frances Nungester Elementary School Decatur 0.8 mi 8.2
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Decatur 0.9 mi 6.8
Chestnut Grove Elementary School Decatur 1.3 mi 6.6
Austin Middle School Decatur 2.0 mi 5.7
Austinville Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 8.7
Austin Junior High School Decatur 3.0 mi 6.5
Woodmeade Elementary School Decatur 3.4 mi 8.5
Walter Jackson Elementary School Decatur 3.4 mi 9.0
Julian Harris Elementary School Decatur 3.5 mi 9.3
Austin High School Decatur 3.5 mi 5.9
Oak Park Elementary School Decatur 4.0 mi 8.2
West Decatur Elementary School Decatur 4.3 mi 7.5
Decatur High School Decatur 4.2 mi 7.0
Decatur High Developmental Decatur 4.2 mi 7.7
Decatur Middle School Decatur 4.3 mi 5.5
BanksCaddell Elementary School Decatur 4.4 mi 7.6
Eastwood Elementary School Decatur 4.2 mi 8.6
Benjamin Davis Elementary School Decatur 5.1 mi 9.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,216

Median Home Value

$148,100

Median Rent

$860/mo

Population

36,008

College Educated

18.3%

Homeownership

57.9%

Avg Commute

20.1 min

Poverty Rate

17.1%

Median Age

37

Community Profile

The community surrounding Decatur Heritage Christian Academy has a median household income of $50,216. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,100, with a median rent of $860/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY Tuscaloosa, AL 6.8
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY Elmore, AL 6.7
OAKWOOD ADVENTIST ACADEMY Huntsville, AL 6.7
PIKE LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOL Troy, AL 6.7
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tuscumbia, AL 6.9
Georgiana School Georgiana, AL 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Decatur Heritage Christian Academy

What grades does Decatur Heritage Christian Academy serve?

Decatur Heritage Christian Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Decatur Heritage Christian Academy?

Decatur Heritage Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Decatur Heritage Christian Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Decatur Heritage Christian Academy is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Decatur Heritage Christian Academy rank in AL?

Decatur Heritage Christian Academy is ranked #67 out of 206 private schools in AL.

What is Decatur Heritage Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Decatur Heritage Christian Academy has a composite rating of 6.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Decatur Heritage Christian Academy a private school?

Yes, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Decatur Heritage Christian Academy a religious school?

Decatur Heritage Christian Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,107/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Decatur). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
323
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
MORGAN
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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