Summary:
There are 13 elementary schools serving students in the Decatur, Alabama area, spanning grades Pre-K through 5th grade, with the majority belonging to the Decatur City district and one school in the Morgan County district.
For parents, the standout school is clearly Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School, which ranks in the 95th percentile statewide and holds a 5-star rating. It posts the highest test scores in nearly every subject—for example, 93.55% proficiency in 3rd grade English compared to the district average of about 60%—and has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at just 1.3%. Priceville Elementary School is another top performer, ranking in the 90th percentile with excellent math scores and the lowest poverty rate in the area. Eastwood Elementary School also stands out as a consistent 4-star school, spending the most per student ($15,088) while maintaining strong 5th grade English scores. On the other end, West Decatur Elementary School ranks in the bottom 11th percentile with the highest poverty rate (81% free/reduced lunch) and the lowest test scores, such as just 24.64% proficiency in 3rd grade math.
A clear pattern emerges: schools with higher poverty rates generally score lower, but Leon Sheffield breaks this trend, achieving top results despite a moderate poverty rate. The district as a whole excels at attendance, with a chronic absenteeism average of 6.0%—half the state rate. However, there is a notable decline in math proficiency from 3rd to 4th grade across several schools, including Chestnut Grove Elementary School (dropping from 49.18% to 32.2%). Spending does not guarantee success: Oak Park Elementary School spends over $14,000 per student yet ranks in the bottom 5%, while Priceville spends the least and performs excellently. Finally, Benjamin Davis Elementary School serves only PK-2, so it has no test scores, but its low absenteeism suggests a solid foundation for young learners.
Thank you for your feedback!