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Downtown Decatur, ARPhoto: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Decatur · Decatur School District

Decatur’s public schools score below 84% of Arkansas districts on tests and graduation

In Decatur, 20% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Arkansas average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Decatur, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arkansas, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Arkansas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
29%
▼ 11 pts vs AR 40%
2021–22
Math proficiency
20%
▼ 18 pts vs AR 38%
2021–22
Spent per student
$13.7K
▲ 1% vs AR $13.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
9.9
AR 12.4 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
613 students on the public path
In brief

Decatur’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 40% and 38% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,679 per student, against $13,585 across Arkansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is Decatur Middle School, then Decatur High School. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Decatur’s grade

C− Test scores

C−: better than 16% of Arkansas school districts. Test scores are below the Arkansas average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Arkansas school districts we grade (261)Better than 16%
Lower resultsHigher results
Arkansas towns with similar household incomes (265)Better than 15%
DC−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 350 test results could put Decatur anywhere from D to C−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Decatur’s students in the tested grades sat them (350 in math, 350 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Decatur, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4Decatur Northside ElementaryDecatur School DistrictB
5–8Decatur Middle SchoolDecatur School DistrictC+
9–12Decatur High SchoolDecatur School DistrictD

Decatur’s public schools are run by Decatur School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Decatur School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 613 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 9.9 per teacher (AR 12.4)
$13,679AR $13,585 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading29%
State average 39.9% · 350 students tested
Math20%
State average 38.3% · 350 students tested

Decatur vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Arkansas towns that share Decatur’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DecaturC−Decatur

Every school in Decatur

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arkansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Decaturby address
Decatur Northside Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–4
B
278 students14:1Rate it →
Decatur Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
C+
162 students12:1Rate it →
Decatur High School
High · Grades 9–12
D
173 students6:1Rate it →

Questions about Decatur’s schools

Are Decatur’s schools good?

On Arkansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Decatur children attend score below 84% of Arkansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 15%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Decatur in?

Decatur School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 613 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Decatur kids go to high school?

Decatur High School, with 173 students; its own test results earn a D.

How much does Decatur spend per student?

$13,679 in Decatur School District (FY2024), against $13,585 across Arkansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Decatur families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Decatur → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arkansas. Stars are from neighbors.