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Excellent

#130 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 10% in state

Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School

Elementary School · Decatur City

801 Wilson St NW, Decatur, AL 35601

Enrollment

290

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

8.4

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decatur

#7 of 21

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#122 of 696

In district

#7 of 18

Decatur City

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School

Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School is a public elementary school in Decatur, AL, part of the Decatur City. The school serves approximately 290 students in grades 3rd – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 90.5th percentile among AL schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 62% proficiency in math and 79% in reading/language arts, 12 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $50,216, where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a small city setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Reading vs. State Avg-14 pts
Overall Proficiency71%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+31.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,764

Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School — Students at Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 79.2%
School
State
91.0%

Based on 7 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
74%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
77%
2024
ELA
97.9%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School Compares

See how Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
91th percentile in AL
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

801 Wilson St NW, Decatur, AL 35601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Benjamin Davis Elementary School (rated 9.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Julian Harris Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Walter Jackson Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Benjamin Davis Elementary School Decatur 1.0 mi 9.8
West Decatur Elementary School Decatur 1.6 mi 7.5
BanksCaddell Elementary School Decatur 1.6 mi 7.6
Decatur Middle School Decatur 2.2 mi 5.5
Decatur High School Decatur 2.3 mi 7.0
Decatur High Developmental Decatur 2.3 mi 7.7
Woodmeade Elementary School Decatur 2.8 mi 8.5
Austin Junior High School Decatur 2.9 mi 6.5
Oak Park Elementary School Decatur 2.8 mi 8.2
Austinville Elementary School Decatur 3.6 mi 8.7
Walter Jackson Elementary School Decatur 3.6 mi 9.0
Julian Harris Elementary School Decatur 3.8 mi 9.3
Austin Middle School Decatur 4.4 mi 5.7
Eastwood Elementary School Decatur 4.1 mi 8.6
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Decatur 5.0 mi 6.8
Frances Nungester Elementary School Decatur 5.1 mi 8.2
Chestnut Grove Elementary School Decatur 5.0 mi 6.6
West Morgan Elementary School Trinity 4.3 mi 7.4
Austin High School Decatur 5.0 mi 5.9
DECATUR HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 5.8 mi 6.8

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 Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary 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
Glencoe Elementary School Glencoe, AL 8.4
Walnut Park Elementary School Gadsden, AL 8.4
West End Elementary School Altoona, AL 8.4
Dutton Elementary School Dutton, AL 8.3
Evergreen Elementary School Evergreen, AL 8.3
HIGHLANDS SCHOOL Birmingham, AL 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School

What grades does Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School serve?

Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School?

Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 290 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School rank in AL?

Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School is ranked #130 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School has 62.3% math proficiency and 79.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School a charter school?

No, Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School?

61.0% of students at Leon Sheffield Magnet 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 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
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.0%
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
#7 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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