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Very Good

#548 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 40% in state

Decatur High School

High School · Decatur City

910 Somerville Road, Decatur, AL 35601

Enrollment

1,026

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decatur

#14 of 21

public schools

Alabama high schools

#17 of 308

In district

#13 of 18

Decatur City

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Decatur High School

Decatur High School serves 1,026 students in grades 9-12 in Decatur, Alabama, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1 and 68 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #499 out of 1,360 high schools statewide, placing it in the 63rd percentile among Alabama schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10. Academically, the school shows room for growth, with 34% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 32% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

These performance levels reflect opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic support. Located at 910 Somerville Road, Decatur High School sits in the heart of Morgan County's largest city. The surrounding 35601 ZIP code area has a median household income of $46,276 and a median home value of $135,100, serving a diverse community of 34,817 residents.

With 19% of local adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 18.4%, the school serves families from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. The school operates in Decatur's small city setting, providing students with both suburban amenities and a close-knit community atmosphere that characterizes this Tennessee Valley region of northern Alabama.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness6.4Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,764

Decatur High School — Students at Decatur High School score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
41%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
34%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Decatur High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
60th percentile in AL
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

Location

910 Somerville Road, Decatur, AL 35601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Decatur High School 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 Developmental Decatur 0.0 mi 7.7
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 School 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
Hartselle High School Hartselle, AL 6.8
Oxford High School Oxford, AL 6.8
Pelham High School Pelham, AL 6.6
Ramsay High School Birmingham, AL 6.6
Selma High School Selma, AL 6.6
Central High School Tuscaloosa, AL 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Decatur High School

What grades does Decatur High School serve?

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

How many students attend Decatur High School?

Decatur High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,026 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Decatur High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Decatur High School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Decatur High School rank in AL?

Decatur High School is ranked #548 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Decatur High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Decatur High School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Decatur High School has 33.3% math proficiency and 31.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Decatur High School a charter school?

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

Is Decatur High School a Title I school?

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

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

72.3% of students at Decatur High School 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
39 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
1,026
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.3%
Type
regular
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
#13 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

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