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Below Average

#2689 of 3,190 schools in MI

Decatur JR SR High School

High School · Decatur Public Schools

110 CEDAR ST, Decatur, MI 49045

Enrollment

403

Student-Teacher

25.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decatur

#2 of 2

public schools

Michigan high schools

#652 of 812

In district

#2 of 2

Decatur Public Schools

About Decatur JR SR High School

Decatur Jr Sr High School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Decatur, Michigan. The school spans grades six through twelve and has an enrollment of 403 students with a student-teacher ratio of 25.2:1. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school aims to provide comprehensive education for its diverse group of middle and high school students.

Decatur Jr Sr High School's MySchoolScout rating is 3.1 out of 10, reflecting a need for academic improvement. The school ranks at #2873 out of 3204 schools in Michigan, placing it in the 10th percentile statewide. In terms of academic performance, Decatur Jr Sr High School has an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 33% and a Math proficiency rate of 16%, indicating areas where focused efforts are needed to enhance student achievement.

The rural setting around Decatur provides a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters personal connections between students and educators. Despite the challenges in current academic performance, the school remains committed to supporting its students' development and growth within this nurturing environment.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Decatur JR SR High School is 25.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Decatur JR SR High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.8%
Math vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.3 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,033

Decatur JR SR High School — Students at Decatur JR SR High School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.3%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
45.2%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
19%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
15.7%
ELA
30.3%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Decatur JR SR High School Compares

See how Decatur JR SR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
16th percentile in MI
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
5.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

110 CEDAR ST, Decatur, MI 49045

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Decatur JR SR High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Communitybased Transition Center (rated 8.7/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Lawrence), which scores notably higher. Another option is Paw Paw High School (rated 6.5/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Paw Paw), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lawton High School (rated 6.3/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Lawton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Davis Elementary School Decatur 0.1 mi 7.6
Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus 7.0 mi 6.1
Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac 7.4 mi 8.1
Bert Goens Learning Center Lawrence 7.8 mi 9.0
Paw Paw Middle School Paw Paw 8.3 mi 5.1
Lawrence JrSr High School Lawrence 8.5 mi 5.5
Lawrence Elementary School Lawrence 8.5 mi 5.6
Paw Paw Early Elementary School Paw Paw 8.7 mi 6.8
Paw Paw Later Elementary Paw Paw 8.7 mi 6.1
Communitybased Transition Center Lawrence 8.9 mi 8.7
ST MARY SCHOOL Paw Paw 8.7 mi 6.5
Cedar Street Community and Family Center Paw Paw 9.0 mi 6.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paw Paw 9.1 mi 6.1
Lawton Elementary School Lawton 8.1 mi 7.1
Lawton Accelerated Academic Center Lawton 8.2 mi 5.2
Lawton Middle School Lawton 8.7 mi 5.0
CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac 9.9 mi
Lawton High School Lawton 8.7 mi 6.3
Paw Paw High School Paw Paw 10.1 mi 6.5
Justus Gage Elementary School Dowagiac 10.6 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,328

Median Home Value

$170,900

Median Rent

$824/mo

Population

5,109

College Educated

14.4%

Homeownership

83.7%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

16.3%

Median Age

49

Community Profile

The community surrounding Decatur JR SR High School has a median household income of $58,328. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $170,900, with a median rent of $824/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Bridge Academy Hamtramck, MI 4.8
Detroit School of Arts Detroit, MI 4.8
Gwinn MiddleHigh School Gwinn, MI 4.8
Hemlock High School Hemlock, MI 4.8
Ottawa Hills High School Grand Rapids, MI 4.8
University High School Ferndale, MI 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Decatur JR SR High School

What grades does Decatur JR SR High School serve?

Decatur JR SR High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Decatur JR SR High School?

Decatur JR SR High School has an enrollment of approximately 403 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Decatur JR SR High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Decatur JR SR High School is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Decatur JR SR High School rank in MI?

Decatur JR SR High School is ranked #2689 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Decatur JR SR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Decatur JR SR High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 JR SR High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Decatur JR SR High School has 16.3% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Decatur JR SR High School a charter school?

No, Decatur JR SR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Decatur JR SR High School a Title I school?

No, Decatur JR SR High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Decatur JR SR High School?

59.8% of students at Decatur JR SR 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

City Safety
High (2,727/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Van Buren County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Decatur Public Schools
District Enrollment
752
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,648
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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