Very Good
#816 of 2,268 schools in GA
Top 36% in state
Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School
Middle School · DeKalb County
5200 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30035
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#23 of 40
public schools
Georgia middle schools
#146 of 477
In district
#51 of 131
DeKalb County
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School
Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Decatur, Georgia, within DeKalb County. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 672 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.3:1. With 47 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school aims to provide a supportive learning environment.
The academic performance at Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School is in the lower range according to state standards and MySchoolScout ratings. The school ranks 24th percentile among Georgia schools, with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 18% and a Math proficiency rate of 9%. While these scores indicate areas where improvements can be made, the school continues to focus on student development and growth.
Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School is situated in a large suburban area, offering students access to both urban amenities and open spaces. The surrounding community provides a diverse range of resources and opportunities for families.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School — Students at Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.9/10.
How Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School Compares
See how Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 9% (2019) to 13.2% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 21.8% (2024).
Location
5200 Covington Hwy, Decatur, GA 30035
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Rowland Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Stone Mountain), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Southwest DeKalb High School (rated 7.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, DeKalb Brilliance Academy (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Atlanta), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 30035 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,733
Median Home Value
$217,100
Median Rent
$1,522/mo
Population
22,073
College Educated
26.3%
Homeownership
54.9%
Avg Commute
32.7 min
Poverty Rate
23.7%
Median Age
36
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School has a median household income of $65,733. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,100, with a median rent of $1,522/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Berrien Middle School Nashville, GA | 7.0 |
| Pine Grove Middle School Valdosta, GA | 7.0 |
| Richards Middle School Columbus, GA | 7.0 |
| West Laurens Middle School Dublin, GA | 7.0 |
| Ashworth Middle School Calhoun, GA | 6.9 |
| Banks County Middle School Homer, GA | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School
What grades does Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School serve?
Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School?
Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 672 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School rank in GA?
Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School is ranked #816 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School has 9.1% math proficiency and 18.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School a charter school?
No, Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School a Title I school?
No, Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mary Mcleod Bethune Middle School?
100.0% of students at Mary Mcleod Bethune 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Decatur). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 672
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- DeKalb County
- Phone
- (678) 875-0302
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb County- District Enrollment
- 91,398
- Schools in District
- 131
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,368
- District Rank
- #51 of 131
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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