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#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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.4Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.8%
Math vs. State Avg-0.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-0.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,627

Decatur County Middle School — Students at Decatur County Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.3%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 29.6%
School
State
40.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
28%
2025
Math
38.8%
ELA
32.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in TN
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Decatur County
District Enrollment
1,498
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,623
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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