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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.81 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.9%
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation23.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,594

Southwest Dekalb High School — Students at Southwest Dekalb High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.2%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
41.8%

Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
20%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
38%
2024
Math
29.9%
ELA
30.9%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Southwest Dekalb High School Compares

See how Southwest Dekalb High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in GA
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,405/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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