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Decatur, Mississippi muralPhoto: Ktkvtsh · CC BY-SA 4.0
A−
Schools in Decatur · Newton County School District

Decatur’s public schools outscore 79% of Mississippi districts

Reading proficiency in Decatur’s districts is 52%, above the Mississippi average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Decatur, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Mississippi, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Mississippi 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
52%
▲ 10 pts vs MS 42%
2021–22
Math proficiency
54%
▲ 7 pts vs MS 47%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 1–5 pts vs MS 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.4K
▲ 0% vs MS $12.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.4
MS 13.9
Schools in town
2
1,650 students on the public path
In brief

Decatur’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 52% and math 54% in spring 2022, against 42% and 47% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,419 per student, against $12,392 across Mississippi (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Newton County 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

A− Test scoresB Graduation

A−: better than 79% of Mississippi school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Mississippi average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Mississippi school districts we grade (150)Better than 79%
Lower resultsHigher results
Mississippi towns with similar household incomes (160)Better than 82%
B+A+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 904 test results and a graduating class of 135 could put Decatur anywhere from B+ to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Decatur’s students in the tested grades sat them (920 in math, 888 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–6Newton County Elementary SchoolNewton County School DistrictA+
7–12Newton County High SchoolNewton County School DistrictB

Decatur’s public schools are run by Newton County School District, which also serves Chunky, Hickory and Lake. 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.

Newton County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 2 schools · 1,650 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 13.4 per teacher (MS 13.9)
$12,419MS $12,392 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading52%
State average 41.7% · 888 students tested
Math54%
State average 47% · 920 students tested

Decatur vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DecaturA−Newton County

Every school in Decatur

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

District schools in Decaturby address
Newton County Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
A+
882 students15:1Rate it →
Newton County High School
High · Grades 7–12
B
768 students12:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Newton County Voc Complex and East Central Alternative School).

Questions about Decatur’s schools

Are Decatur’s schools good?

By Mississippi’s own tests, yes: the public schools Decatur children attend outscore 79% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 82%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Decatur in?

Newton County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,650 students in 2 schools (2024–25).

What is Decatur’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Newton County School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.

How much does Decatur spend per student?

$12,419 in Newton County School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. 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 Mississippi. Stars are from neighbors.