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Very Good

#274 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 26% in state

Decatur Middle School

Middle School · DECATUR SCHOOL DISTRICT

1498 STADIUM AVE, Decatur, AR 72722

Enrollment

156

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

7.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decatur

#2 of 3

public schools

Arkansas middle schools

#63 of 205

In district

#2 of 3

DECATUR SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Decatur Middle School

Decatur Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Decatur, Arkansas. Serving students from fifth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 156 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it at number 491 among all schools in Arkansas.

Academically, Decatur Middle School scores 2.8 out of 10 on the MySchoolScout scale, with 34% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 24% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth at Decatur Middle School, the school focuses on supporting each student's development through dedicated teachers who are committed to fostering a positive learning environment. Situated in a rural setting, Decatur Middle School is an integral part of the local community, providing educational opportunities tailored to the needs and resources available in this area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 156 students, Decatur Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Decatur Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.41 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,713

Decatur Middle School — Students at Decatur Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
32%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Decatur Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
74th percentile in AR
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

1498 STADIUM AVE, Decatur, AR 72722

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Decatur Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. GRAVETTE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Gravette), which scores slightly higher. Another option is GRIMSLEY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Centerton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, GENTRY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Gentry), a more accessible option. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.2 mi
School Distance Rating
DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL Decatur 0.0 mi 7.4
DECATUR NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY Decatur 1.7 mi 5.1
GENTRY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Gentry 5.2 mi 4.7
GLENN DUFFY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gravette 5.8 mi 5.3
GRAVETTE UPPER ELEMENTARY Gravette 5.8 mi 5.4
GRAVETTE MIDDLE SCHOOL Gravette 5.9 mi 8.1
GRAVETTE HIGH SCHOOL Gravette 6.1 mi 6.3
GRAVETTE HOLINESS BIBLE SCHOOL Gravette 6.1 mi
GENTRY HIGH SCHOOL Gentry 5.9 mi 6.6
GENTRY MIDDLE SCHOOL Gentry 6.0 mi 5.0
GENTRY PRIMARY SCHOOL Gentry 6.1 mi 6.5
HOPE ACADEMY OF NWA ELEMENTARY Bentonville 5.8 mi
OZARK ADVENTIST ACADEMY Gentry 7.3 mi 5.9
OZARK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Gentry 7.4 mi 6.6
GRIMSLEY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Centerton 8.1 mi 7.8
VAUGHN ELEMENTARY Bentonville 8.5 mi 6.2
BENTONVILLE WEST HIGH SCHOOL Centerton 8.8 mi 7.8
SILOAM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL CONVERSION CHARTER Siloam Springs 10.5 mi 6.4
LIFE WAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Centerton 9.0 mi 5.7
CENTERTON GAMBLE ELEMENTARY Centerton 9.2 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72722 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,333

Median Home Value

$178,200

Median Rent

$788/mo

Population

2,920

College Educated

18.5%

Homeownership

60.8%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

21.2%

Median Age

36.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Decatur Middle School has a median household income of $52,333. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,200, with a median rent of $788/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
LAKESIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lake Village, AR 7.1
GREENLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL Greenland, AR 7.4
TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR 6.7
NEMO VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Center Ridge, AR 7.8
DUMAS MIDDLE SCHOOL Dumas, AR 7.9
RIVERCREST JR HIGH PREP ACADEMY Wilson, AR 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Decatur Middle School

What grades does Decatur Middle School serve?

Decatur Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Decatur Middle School?

Decatur Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 156 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Decatur Middle School is 11.1:1. 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 AR?

Decatur Middle School is ranked #274 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Decatur Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Decatur Middle School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 23.7% math proficiency and 33.7% 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?

100.0% 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,875/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
156
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Benton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DECATUR SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
608
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,528
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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