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Very Good

#320 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 24% in state

Decatur High Developmental

High School · Decatur City

910 Somerville Road SE, Decatur, AL 35601

Enrollment

38

Score

7.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decatur

#10 of 21

public schools

Alabama high schools

#6 of 308

In district

#10 of 18

Decatur City

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Decatur High Developmental

Decatur High Developmental serves 38 high school students in grades 9-12 in Decatur, Alabama, earning an impressive 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This regular public school ranks #119 out of 1,360 schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile among Alabama high schools with a strong 8.3 academic score. The school shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 42% of students perform at proficient or above levels.

Mathematics presents an area with room for academic growth, as 25% of students currently achieve proficiency standards. Despite this challenge, the school's overall high ranking suggests effective educational approaches and dedicated staff working to support student success. Located at 910 Somerville Road SE, Decatur High Developmental serves a community where the median household income is $46,276 and the median home value is $135,100.

The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 34,817 residents, with 19% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and an 18.4% poverty rate. The small enrollment of 38 students likely allows for personalized attention and close-knit learning environment. The school operates within Decatur's small city setting in Morgan County, providing students with both community connections and educational opportunities in north-central Alabama.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 38 students, Decatur High Developmental is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+7.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency75%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected+20.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$13,764

Decatur High Developmental — Students at Decatur High Developmental score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
75%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How Decatur High Developmental Compares

See how Decatur High Developmental performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
77th percentile in AL
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Location

910 Somerville Road SE, Decatur, AL 35601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Decatur High Developmental may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Benjamin Davis Elementary School (rated 9.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Julian Harris Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walter Jackson Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Decatur High School Decatur 0.0 mi 7.0
Decatur Middle School Decatur 0.1 mi 5.5
Oak Park Elementary School Decatur 0.5 mi 8.2
BanksCaddell Elementary School Decatur 0.8 mi 7.6
Walter Jackson Elementary School Decatur 1.3 mi 9.0
West Decatur Elementary School Decatur 1.5 mi 7.5
Eastwood Elementary School Decatur 1.9 mi 8.6
Austinville Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 8.7
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School Decatur 2.3 mi 8.4
Austin Junior High School Decatur 2.2 mi 6.5
Benjamin Davis Elementary School Decatur 2.3 mi 9.8
Woodmeade Elementary School Decatur 2.5 mi 8.5
Frances Nungester Elementary School Decatur 3.5 mi 8.2
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Decatur 3.5 mi 6.8
Austin Middle School Decatur 3.6 mi 5.7
Chestnut Grove Elementary School Decatur 3.9 mi 6.6
DECATUR HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 4.2 mi 6.8
Julian Harris Elementary School Decatur 3.8 mi 9.3
ST ANN SCHOOL Decatur 4.5 mi 6.7
ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur 4.5 mi 7.5

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 High Developmental 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
COLUMBUS GIRLS ACADEMY Seale, AL 7.6
ST CLAIR COUNTY DAY PROGRAM INC Ashville, AL 7.5
BUILD UP Birmingham, AL 6.2
J. WALTER WOOD ACADEMY Montgomery, AL
THE DAY PROGRAM Alabaster, AL
THE PINNACLE SCHOOLS - ELK RIVER TREATMENT PROGRAM Elkmont, AL

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Decatur High Developmental

What grades does Decatur High Developmental serve?

Decatur High Developmental serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Decatur High Developmental?

Decatur High Developmental has an enrollment of approximately 38 students.

How does Decatur High Developmental rank in AL?

Decatur High Developmental is ranked #320 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Decatur High Developmental's MySchoolScout rating?

Decatur High Developmental has a composite rating of 7.7 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.

What are the test scores at Decatur High Developmental?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Decatur High Developmental has 25.0% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Decatur High Developmental a charter school?

No, Decatur High Developmental is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Decatur High Developmental a Title I school?

No, Decatur High Developmental is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Decatur High Developmental?

73.7% of students at Decatur High Developmental qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,107/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.7%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Small City
County
Morgan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Decatur City
District Enrollment
8,665
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,832
District Rank
#10 of 18

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

Related reading

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