Skip to main content

Average

#914 of 1,356 schools in AL

Decatur Middle School

Middle School · Decatur City

1011 Prospect Drive SE, Decatur, AL 35601

Enrollment

792

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#914 of 1,356

In Decatur

#18 of 21

public schools

In district

#16 of 18

Decatur City

School environment

9.6 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Decatur Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Decatur Middle School

5.5/10

Middle School in Decatur · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Decatur High School

6.0/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Decatur High Developmental

6.3/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Decatur Middle School

Decatur Middle School is a public middle school in Decatur, AL, part of Decatur City. Decatur Middle School serves approximately 792 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Decatur Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #914 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Decatur Middle School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • AL avg 5.6

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-18.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment9.6Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,832
Chronic Absenteeism15.5%

Decatur Middle School — Students at Decatur Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
86%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
43%
2014
Math
36%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
39%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Decatur Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
33th percentile in AL
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
4.0/10
Below Average
Environment
9.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1011 Prospect Drive SE, Decatur, AL 35601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Decatur Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Benjamin Davis Elementary School (rated 9.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walter Jackson Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 1.4 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 0.1 mi 6.0
Decatur High Developmental Decatur 0.1 mi 6.3
BanksCaddell Elementary School Decatur 0.6 mi 7.4
Oak Park Elementary School Decatur 0.7 mi 6.9
Walter Jackson Elementary School Decatur 1.4 mi 9.1
West Decatur Elementary School Decatur 1.4 mi 6.0
Eastwood Elementary School Decatur 2.0 mi 9.1
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 9.3
Austinville Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 7.8
Benjamin Davis Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 9.9
Austin Junior High School Decatur 2.2 mi 4.4
Woodmeade Elementary School Decatur 2.4 mi 7.2
Frances Nungester Elementary School Decatur 3.5 mi 8.6
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Decatur 3.5 mi 6.8
Austin Middle School Decatur 3.6 mi 5.4
Chestnut Grove Elementary School Decatur 3.9 mi 7.4
DECATUR HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 4.3 mi 6.8
Julian Harris Elementary School Decatur 3.7 mi 8.4
ST ANN SCHOOL Decatur 4.5 mi 6.8
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Redland Middle School Wetumpka, AL 5.5
Southlawn Middle School Montgomery, AL 5.5
Athens Middle School Athens, AL 5.4
Austin Middle School Decatur, AL 5.4
Hayden Middle School Hayden, AL 5.6
Meridianville Middle School Hazel Green, AL 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Decatur Middle School

What grades does Decatur Middle School serve?

Decatur Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Decatur Middle School?

Decatur Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 792 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Decatur Middle School is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Decatur Middle School rank in AL?

Decatur Middle School ranks #914 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Decatur Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Decatur Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Decatur Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Decatur Middle School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Decatur Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Decatur Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

63.6% of students at Decatur Middle 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
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
792
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Morgan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.