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Decatur-indiana-downtown-2006Photo: Derek Jensen (Tysto) · Public domain
B
Schools in Decatur · North Adams Community Schools

Decatur’s public schools outscore 60% of Indiana districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Decatur, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Decatur, 32% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Indiana average (38%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Indiana, not nationally.

#307of 592 Indiana townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Indiana 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
39%
▼ 2 pts vs IN 41%
2021–22
Math proficiency
32%
▼ 6 pts vs IN 38%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 7–12 pts vs IN 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.0K
▲ 2% vs IN $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.8
IN 15.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
1,571 students on the public path
In brief

Decatur’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 32% in math, against 41% and 38% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Indiana (the state reports Decatur’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,022 per student, against $13,688 across Indiana (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Bellmont Middle School, then Bellmont Senior High School. 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

B− Test scoresB+ Graduation

B: better than 60% of Indiana school districts, #307 of 592 Indiana towns. Graduation is above the Indiana average; test scores are below it.

Indiana school districts we grade (396)Better than 60%
Lower resultsHigher results
Indiana towns with similar household incomes (863)Better than 57%
B−B+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 754 test results and a graduating class of 162 could put Decatur anywhere from B− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Decatur’s students in the tested grades sat them (754 in math, 753 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–5Bellmont ElementaryNorth Adams Community SchoolsC−
6–8Bellmont Middle SchoolNorth Adams Community SchoolsC
9–12Bellmont Senior High SchoolNorth Adams Community SchoolsB+

Decatur’s public schools are run by North Adams Community Schools, which also serves Preble, Root, Union and Washington. 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.

North Adams Community SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 1,571 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 12.8 per teacher (IN 15.3)
$14,022IN $13,688 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading39%
State average 41.3% · 753 students tested
Math32%
State average 37.5% · 754 students tested

Decatur vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DecaturBNorth Adams

Every school in Decatur

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

Also serving Decaturin other towns
Bellmont Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
684 students13:1Rate it →
Bellmont Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
274 students12:1Rate it →
Bellmont Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12
B+
613 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Decatur’s schools

Are Decatur’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Indiana: the public schools Decatur children attend outscore 60% of Indiana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #307 of 592 Indiana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 57%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Decatur in?

North Adams Community Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,571 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Decatur kids go to high school?

Bellmont Senior High School, with 613 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Decatur’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in North Adams Community Schools graduated in four years, against 88% across Indiana.

How much does Decatur spend per student?

$14,022 in North Adams Community Schools (FY2024), against $13,688 across Indiana. 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 Indiana. Stars are from neighbors.