Excellent
#18 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 1% in state
Julian Harris Elementary School
Elementary School · Decatur City
1922 McAuliffe Dr SW, Decatur, AL 35603
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
9.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#2 of 21
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#18 of 696
In district
#2 of 18
Decatur City
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Julian Harris Elementary School
Julian Harris Elementary serves 348 students in grades PK through 5 in Decatur, Alabama. With a composite score of 9.3 out of 10, the school earns an Exceptional rating — a mark that reflects consistent, measurable results across every category tracked on this site. The numbers behind that rating are striking.
Julian Harris ranks second among 21 public schools in Decatur and places #18 out of 1,356 public schools statewide, landing in the top 1% of all Alabama schools. Academic performance scores an 8.7, but the standout figure is growth — a 9.7 out of 10. That score means students here advance faster than peers at most comparable schools, which is a stronger signal of long-term outcomes than test scores alone can show.
The school operates as a regular public school with a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. That level of staffing keeps class sizes manageable, a meaningful advantage in the early grades where direct instruction drives the most impact. For families comparing elementary options in Decatur, Julian Harris sits well above the local field and ranks among the strongest schools in the state.
Score Breakdown
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Julian Harris Elementary School — Students at Julian Harris Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.7/10.
How Julian Harris Elementary School Compares
See how Julian Harris Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
1922 McAuliffe Dr SW, Decatur, AL 35603
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Julian Harris Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Benjamin Davis Elementary School (rated 9.8/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Austinville Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Woodmeade Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Austin High School Decatur | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Woodmeade Elementary School Decatur | 1.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Austin Middle School Decatur | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Austin Junior High School Decatur | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Chestnut Grove Elementary School Decatur | 2.2 mi | 6.6 |
| West Morgan Elementary School Trinity | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Austinville Elementary School Decatur | 2.2 mi | 8.7 |
| West Decatur Elementary School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Decatur | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Benjamin Davis Elementary School Decatur | 2.8 mi | 9.8 |
| West Morgan Middle School Trinity | 2.6 mi | 4.7 |
| West Morgan High School Trinity | 2.6 mi | 2.3 |
| Frances Nungester Elementary School Decatur | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| DECATUR HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| BanksCaddell Elementary School Decatur | 3.3 mi | 7.6 |
| ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 3.7 mi | 7.5 |
| ST ANN SCHOOL Decatur | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School Decatur | 3.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Decatur Middle School Decatur | 3.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Decatur High School Decatur | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35603 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$78,237
Median Home Value
$235,600
Median Rent
$857/mo
Population
31,875
College Educated
29.2%
Homeownership
73.6%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Julian Harris Elementary School has a median household income of $78,237. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,600, with a median rent of $857/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Joe M Gillmore Elementary School Jackson, AL | 9.3 |
| Vernon Elementary School Vernon, AL | 9.3 |
| Green Valley Elementary School Hoover, AL | 9.4 |
| Double Springs Elementary School Double Springs, AL | 9.2 |
| Jeter Primary School Opelika, AL | 9.2 |
| Shades Mountain Elementary School Hoover, AL | 9.2 |
Compare Julian Harris Elementary School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Julian Harris Elementary School
What grades does Julian Harris Elementary School serve?
Julian Harris Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Julian Harris Elementary School?
Julian Harris Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 348 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Julian Harris Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Julian Harris Elementary 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 Julian Harris Elementary School rank in AL?
Julian Harris Elementary School is ranked #18 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Julian Harris Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Julian Harris Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.3 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 Julian Harris Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Julian Harris Elementary School has 35.3% math proficiency and 68.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Julian Harris Elementary School a charter school?
No, Julian Harris Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Julian Harris Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Julian Harris Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Julian Harris Elementary School?
67.2% of students at Julian Harris Elementary 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Decatur). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 348
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Morgan County
- Phone
- (256) 552-3096
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Decatur City- District Enrollment
- 8,665
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,832
- District Rank
- #2 of 18
Compare This School
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 methodologyRelated reading
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