Excellent
#46 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 3% in state
Walter Jackson Elementary School
Elementary School · Decatur City
1950 Park St SE, Decatur, AL 35601
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#3 of 21
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#45 of 696
In district
#3 of 18
Decatur City
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Walter Jackson Elementary School
Walter Jackson Elementary School serves 240 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Decatur, Alabama. Its composite score of 9.0 out of 10 earns an Exceptional rating — a mark that puts it among the strongest elementary schools in the state. The data confirms that standing.
Walter Jackson ranks #46 out of 1,356 public schools in Alabama, outperforming 97% of schools statewide. Within Decatur, it places third among 21 public schools — a consistent top-three position built on strong academic results and demonstrated student growth. Both scored components stand out.
A 9.4 academic score reflects high student achievement relative to peers across Alabama. A 9.1 growth score shows students are progressing at an above-average pace — not just performing well from a favorable starting point. The student-teacher ratio of 17.1 to 1 gives teachers a manageable load for a school of this size.
For families evaluating elementary schools in Decatur or comparing options across Alabama, Walter Jackson lands in the top 45 out of 696 elementary schools statewide. Few schools in the area match that combination of academic performance and student growth at the same time.
Score Breakdown
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Walter Jackson Elementary School — Students at Walter Jackson Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.2%
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: 9.1/10.
How Walter Jackson Elementary School Compares
See how Walter Jackson Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
1950 Park St SE, Decatur, AL 35601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walter Jackson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Benjamin Davis Elementary School (rated 9.8/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Austinville Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Eastwood Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Park Elementary School Decatur | 0.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Eastwood Elementary School Decatur | 1.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Decatur High School Decatur | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Decatur High Developmental Decatur | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Decatur Middle School Decatur | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| BanksCaddell Elementary School Decatur | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Austinville Elementary School Decatur | 2.0 mi | 8.7 |
| West Decatur Elementary School Decatur | 2.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Austin Junior High School Decatur | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Frances Nungester Elementary School Decatur | 2.8 mi | 8.2 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Decatur | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Woodmeade Elementary School Decatur | 3.0 mi | 8.5 |
| DECATUR HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School Decatur | 3.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Benjamin Davis Elementary School Decatur | 3.4 mi | 9.8 |
| ST ANN SCHOOL Decatur | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 3.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Chestnut Grove Elementary School Decatur | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Austin Middle School Decatur | 3.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Priceville High School Decatur | 4.2 mi | 4.0 |
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 Walter Jackson 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 |
|---|---|
| Fruithurst Elementary School Fruithurst, AL | 9.0 |
| Rock Mills Junior High School Roanoke, AL | 9.0 |
| AH Watwood Elementary School Childersburg, AL | 9.1 |
| Bob HardingShawmut Elementary Valley, AL | 8.9 |
| Tarrant Elementary School Tarrant, AL | 8.9 |
| New Bethel Elementary School Tuscumbia, AL | 8.8 |
Compare Walter Jackson 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 Walter Jackson Elementary School
What grades does Walter Jackson Elementary School serve?
Walter Jackson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Walter Jackson Elementary School?
Walter Jackson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walter Jackson Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Walter Jackson Elementary School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walter Jackson Elementary School rank in AL?
Walter Jackson Elementary School is ranked #46 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Walter Jackson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walter Jackson Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Walter Jackson Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walter Jackson Elementary School has 58.7% math proficiency and 70.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walter Jackson Elementary School a charter school?
No, Walter Jackson Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walter Jackson Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Walter Jackson Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walter Jackson Elementary School?
71.2% of students at Walter Jackson 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Decatur). Data >1 year old.
Compare This School
How does Walter Jackson Elementary School stack up?
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 240
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Morgan County
- Phone
- (256) 552-3031
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Decatur City- District Enrollment
- 8,665
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,832
- District Rank
- #3 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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