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Average

#1564 of 2,268 schools in GA

Southwest Dekalb High School

High School · DeKalb County

2863 Kelley Chapel Rd, Decatur, GA 30034

Enrollment

1,207

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#1,564 of 2,268

In Decatur

#22 of 40

public schools

In district

#62 of 131

DeKalb County

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Southwest Dekalb High School

5.3/10

High School in Decatur · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Rainbow Elementary School

4.8/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Dekalb Brilliance Academy

7.2/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Southwest Dekalb High School

Southwest Dekalb High School is a public high school in Decatur, GA, part of DeKalb County. Southwest Dekalb High School serves approximately 1,207 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Dekalb High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,564 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Southwest Dekalb High School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • GA avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

51% of students at Southwest Dekalb High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.9% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.9% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness5.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation23.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,368
Chronic Absenteeism51.4%

Southwest Dekalb High School — Students at Southwest Dekalb High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

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 31.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 52.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
41.8% (2024 GA)

Based on 30 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
48%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
28%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
18%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
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: 6.7/10.

How Southwest Dekalb High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
31th percentile in GA
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 3
Sports
22
10 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
23.2% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
10 boys'·12 girls'·29 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Narvie Harris Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DeKalb Brilliance Academy (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Atlanta), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GREENFOREST MCCALEP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 4.8
DeKalb Brilliance Academy Atlanta 0.6 mi 7.2
Bob Mathis Elementary School Decatur 1.3 mi 4.7
Canby Lane Elementary School Decatur 1.4 mi 4.5
Chapel Hill Middle School Decatur 1.6 mi 4.8
Chapel Hill Elementary School Decatur 1.6 mi 4.3
GREEN PASTURES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Decatur 1.6 mi
BASIX KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Decatur 1.6 mi 6.7
Columbia Middle School Decatur 1.7 mi 3.9
Narvie Harris Elementary School Decatur 2.4 mi 7.5
GREENFOREST MCCALEP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 2.1 mi 6.9
Columbia High School Decatur 2.4 mi 4.0
Snapfinger Elementary School Decatur 2.4 mi 3.3
Columbia Elementary School Decatur 2.3 mi 4.7
Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School Decatur 2.6 mi 4.2
HOKE MCNEAL ACADEMY Decatur 2.5 mi
Edward L. Bouie- Sr. Elementary School Lithonia 2.5 mi 6.6
Browns Mill Elementary School Lithonia 2.7 mi 3.6
WINGS OF A DOVE CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY Decatur 2.7 mi 4.6
Miller Grove Middle School Decatur 2.8 mi 2.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Beach High School Savannah, GA 5.3
Howard High School Macon, GA 5.3
Riverdale High School Riverdale, GA 5.3
Tattnall County High School Reidsville, GA 5.3
Upson-Lee High School Thomaston, GA 5.3
BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Roswell, GA 5.2

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 ranks #1,564 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Southwest Dekalb High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Dekalb High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Southwest Dekalb High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Dekalb High School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.4%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

DeKalb County
District Enrollment
91,398
Schools in District
131
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,368
District Rank
#62 of 131

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