Top Rankings
Decatur City School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public preschools serving 3,809 students in Decatur City School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Alabama.
Public Preschools in Decatur City School District have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Alabama public pre school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Alabama public preschool average of 48% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (AL)
# Schools
20 Schools
648 Schools
# Students
8,665 Students
310,670 Students
# Teachers
558 Teachers
18,546 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Decatur City School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 145 school districts in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 91% has increased from 87% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#75 out of 145 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
29%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
38%
Graduation Rate
91%
88%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.71
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
35%
11%
% Black
29%
30%
% White
29%
52%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,581 is higher than the state median of $13,006. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,752 is higher than the state median of $12,220. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$126 MM
$9,671 MM
Spending
$128 MM
$9,086 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,581
$13,006
Spending / Student
$14,752
$12,220
Best Decatur City School District Public Preschools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Eastwood Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1802 26th Ave Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3043
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3043
Grades: PK-5
| 270 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Frances Nungester Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
726 Tammy St Sw
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3079
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3079
Grades: PK-5
| 399 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Julian Harris Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1922 Mcauliffe Dr Sw
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3096
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3096
Grades: PK-5
| 348 students
Rank: #44.
Woodmeade Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1400 19th Ave Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3023
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3023
Grades: PK-5
| 351 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Austinville Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2320 Clara Ave Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3050
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3050
Grades: PK-5
| 418 students
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Oak Park Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1218 16th Ave Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3033
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3033
Grades: PK-5
| 517 students
Rank: #77.
Bankscaddell Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
211 Gordon Dr Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3040
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3040
Grades: PK-5
| 447 students
Rank: #88.
Chestnut Grove Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3205 Cedarhurst Dr Sw
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3092
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3092
Grades: PK-5
| 435 students
Rank: #99.
West Decatur Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
708 Memorial Dr Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3027
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3027
Grades: PK-5
| 363 students
Rank: n/an/a
Benjamin Davis Elementary School
Magnet School
417 Monroe Dr Nw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3025
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3025
Grades: PK-2
| 261 students
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
