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Average

#988 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

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decatur

#19 of 21

public schools

Alabama middle schools

#129 of 262

In district

#18 of 18

Decatur City

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Decatur Middle School

Decatur Middle School is a regular public school located in the heart of Decatur, Alabama, in Morgan County. The school serves grades 6 through 8, with an enrollment of 792 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. With 53 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers a supportive learning environment.

Decatur Middle School’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, placing it in the 53rd percentile among Alabama schools. Academically, 39% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 18% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas for growth in test performance. The school is situated in a small city with a median household income of $46,276 and a median home value of $135,100.

About 19% of the population in the area has a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 18.4%. Decatur Middle School is an integral part of the community, providing educational support to students in a neighborhood that is both vibrant and diverse.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,764

Decatur Middle School — Students at Decatur Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

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 27.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.3%
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
48%
ELA
43%
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: 3.1/10.

How Decatur Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
27th percentile in AL
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

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 9.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Julian Harris Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walter Jackson Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 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 7.0
Decatur High Developmental Decatur 0.1 mi 7.7
BanksCaddell Elementary School Decatur 0.6 mi 7.6
Oak Park Elementary School Decatur 0.7 mi 8.2
Walter Jackson Elementary School Decatur 1.4 mi 9.0
West Decatur Elementary School Decatur 1.4 mi 7.5
Eastwood Elementary School Decatur 2.0 mi 8.6
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 8.4
Austinville Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 8.7
Benjamin Davis Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 9.8
Austin Junior High School Decatur 2.2 mi 6.5
Woodmeade Elementary School Decatur 2.4 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 4.3 mi 6.8
Julian Harris Elementary School Decatur 3.7 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 Middle 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
Calera Middle Montevallo, AL 5.5
Hampton Cove Middle School Hampton Cove, AL 5.5
Baldwin Art And Academics Magnet Montgomery, AL 5.6
Hueytown Middle School Hueytown, AL 5.6
Minor Middle School Adamsville, AL 5.4
Monrovia Middle School Huntsville, AL 5.4

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 is ranked #988 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Decatur Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Decatur Middle School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Decatur Middle School has 27.7% math proficiency and 39.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,107/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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