Average
#1047 of 1,785 schools in TN
Decatur County Middle School
Middle School · Decatur County
2740 Hwy 641 South, Parsons, TN 38363
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
416
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Parsons
#1 of 2
public schools
Tennessee middle schools
#160 of 338
In district
#3 of 4
Decatur County
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Decatur County Middle School
Decatur County Middle School serves 416 students in grades 5-8 in Parsons, Tennessee, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking 66th out of 1,796 Tennessee schools, the school places in the 96th percentile statewide—a remarkable achievement for a rural institution. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom.
This staffing level supports the school's strong academic reputation and helps explain its exceptional state ranking among Tennessee middle schools. Located at 2740 Highway 641 South, the school operates as a regular public school serving the local community. The surrounding area reflects a working-class rural community, with a median household income of $45,750 and median home values around $113,300.
About 14% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 19.5%. Despite serving a community with economic challenges, Decatur County Middle School has established itself as an educational standout, demonstrating that rural schools can achieve excellence. The school sits in Tennessee's remote rural countryside, providing education to families across Decatur County's agricultural landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Decatur County Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Decatur County Middle School — Students at Decatur County Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from TN 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: 3.4/10.
How Decatur County Middle School Compares
See how Decatur County Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 38.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 32.8% (2025).
Location
2740 Hwy 641 South, Parsons, TN 38363
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Decatur County Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lexington Middle School (rated 8.4/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Lexington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Linden Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Linden), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Parsons, see our Parsons schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside High School Decaturville | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Parsons Elementary Parsons | 2.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Decaturville Elementary Decaturville | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| SOULS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Scotts Hill | 8.9 mi | — |
| Pin Oak Elementary Lexington | 8.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Scotts Hill Elementary Scotts Hill | 9.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Scotts Hill High School Reagan | 11.5 mi | 4.9 |
| GOOD NEWS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lexington | 11.7 mi | — |
| South Side Elementary Reagan | 13.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Lexington Middle School Lexington | 14.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Holladay Elementary Holladay | 18.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Frank Hughes School Clifton | 17.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Lexington High School Lexington | 15.3 mi | 5.8 |
| ESTHER'S MONTESSORI CENTER Lexington | 15.6 mi | — |
| Paul G. Caywood Elementary Lexington | 15.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Linden Elementary Linden | 15.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Linden Middle School Linden | 15.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Perry County High School Linden | 15.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Perry County Virtual School Linden | 16.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Beaver Elementary Wildersville | 18.8 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38363 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,955
Median Home Value
$105,700
Median Rent
$720/mo
Population
5,600
College Educated
11.8%
Homeownership
66.4%
Avg Commute
25.6 min
Poverty Rate
22%
Median Age
44.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Decatur County Middle School has a median household income of $42,955. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $105,700, with a median rent of $720/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherokee Middle School Kingston, TN | 5.9 |
| DuPont Hadley Middle Old Hickory, TN | 5.9 |
| Dickson Middle School Dickson, TN | 6.0 |
| Isaac Litton Middle Nashville, TN | 6.0 |
| Community Middle School Unionville, TN | 5.8 |
| Croft Middle Nashville, TN | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Decatur County Middle School
What grades does Decatur County Middle School serve?
Decatur County Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Decatur County Middle School?
Decatur County Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 416 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Decatur County Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Decatur County Middle School is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Decatur County Middle School rank in TN?
Decatur County Middle School is ranked #1047 out of 1,785 schools in TN.
What is Decatur County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Decatur County Middle School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 County Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Decatur County Middle School has 46.3% math proficiency and 29.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Decatur County Middle School a charter school?
No, Decatur County Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Decatur County Middle School a Title I school?
No, Decatur County Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,268/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Parsons). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 416
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Decatur County
- Phone
- (731) 847-6510
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Decatur County- District Enrollment
- 1,498
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,623
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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 methodologyRelated reading
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