Very Good
#600 of 2,268 schools in GA
Top 26% in state
Southwest Dekalb High School
High School · DeKalb County
2863 Kelley Chapel Rd, Decatur, GA 30034
Enrollment
1,207
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,207
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#15 of 40
public schools
Georgia high schools
#56 of 443
In district
#31 of 131
DeKalb County
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Southwest Dekalb High School
Southwest DeKalb High School serves 1,207 students in grades 9-12 in Decatur, Georgia, operating as a regular public school within DeKalb County. With 80 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individualized attention. The school currently has significant room for academic growth, with 31% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 30% achieving proficiency in mathematics.
Southwest DeKalb ranks in the 27th percentile statewide, placing it at #1655 out of 2271 Georgia high schools, indicating opportunities for continued improvement in student outcomes and academic support systems. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $59,067 and median home values reach $194,500. About 29% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 13.7%, reflecting a working-class neighborhood with varying economic circumstances.
Southwest DeKalb High School sits in a large suburban setting along Kelley Chapel Road, serving families throughout the 30034 ZIP code area that encompasses over 42,000 residents. The school operates within an established suburban community that offers students access to the greater Atlanta metropolitan area's resources and opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Southwest Dekalb High School — Students at Southwest Dekalb High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76%
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 Southwest Dekalb High School Compares
See how Southwest Dekalb High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 29.9% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 30.9% (2024).
Location
2863 Kelley Chapel Rd, Decatur, GA 30034
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Dekalb High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Edward L. Bouie- Sr. Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Lithonia), with a very similar rating. Another option is DeKalb Brilliance Academy (rated 7.3/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Atlanta), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Narvie Harris Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Elementary School Decatur | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| DeKalb Brilliance Academy Atlanta | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Bob Mathis Elementary School Decatur | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Canby Lane Elementary School Decatur | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Chapel Hill Middle School Decatur | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Chapel Hill Elementary School Decatur | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| GREEN PASTURES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Decatur | 1.6 mi | — |
| BASIX KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Decatur | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Columbia Middle School Decatur | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Narvie Harris Elementary School Decatur | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| GREENFOREST MCCALEP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Columbia High School Decatur | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Snapfinger Elementary School Decatur | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Columbia Elementary School Decatur | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
| HOKE MCNEAL ACADEMY Decatur | 2.5 mi | — |
| Edward L. Bouie- Sr. Elementary School Lithonia | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Browns Mill Elementary School Lithonia | 2.7 mi | 5.1 |
| WINGS OF A DOVE CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY Decatur | 2.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Miller Grove Middle School Decatur | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 30034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,551
Median Home Value
$228,200
Median Rent
$1,427/mo
Population
41,823
College Educated
29.2%
Homeownership
69.8%
Avg Commute
35 min
Poverty Rate
14.7%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Dekalb High School has a median household income of $60,551. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,200, with a median rent of $1,427/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kell High School Marietta, GA | 7.4 |
| Morgan County High School Madison, GA | 7.4 |
| Innovation Academy Alpharetta, GA | 7.5 |
| Paul Duke STEM High School Norcross, GA | 7.5 |
| Ringgold High School Ringgold, GA | 7.5 |
| Ware County High School Waycross, GA | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Dekalb High School
What grades does Southwest Dekalb High School serve?
Southwest Dekalb High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Southwest Dekalb High School?
Southwest Dekalb High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,207 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Dekalb High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Dekalb High 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 Southwest Dekalb High School rank in GA?
Southwest Dekalb High School is ranked #600 out of 2,268 schools in GA.
What is Southwest Dekalb High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Dekalb High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Southwest Dekalb High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Dekalb High School has 20.2% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwest Dekalb High School a charter school?
No, Southwest Dekalb High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Dekalb High School a Title I school?
No, Southwest Dekalb High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Dekalb High School?
76.0% of students at Southwest Dekalb High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,207
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- DeKalb County
- Phone
- (678) 874-1902
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DeKalb County- District Enrollment
- 91,398
- Schools in District
- 131
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,368
- District Rank
- #31 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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