Summary:
There are four high schools in the Decatur City district in Alabama, serving grades 9-12 and totaling about 2,220 students, with a mix of large traditional schools and smaller specialized programs. For parents, the key takeaway is that Austin High School is the strongest overall academic performer among the traditional schools, while Decatur High School offers a compelling alternative with better student engagement and science scores.
Austin High School leads the district with the best state ranking (52nd percentile), the highest graduation rate (96.7%), and the top English proficiency (31% proficient). It also has the largest enrollment at 999 students. However, Decatur High School counters with a dramatically lower chronic absenteeism rate (4.0% vs. 13.4% at Austin) and superior science proficiency (29.8% vs. 27.4%). Decatur High also had a standout 2024-2025 year when its math scores exceeded state averages, though it slipped back in 2025-2026. Both schools struggle to meet state averages in most subjects, indicating district-wide challenges.
The two smaller schools serve distinct populations. Career Academies of Decatur has the best student-teacher ratio (9.9:1) but the lowest test scores (11% math proficiency) and ranking (19th percentile), likely reflecting a high-needs student body with 73% economic disadvantage. Decatur High Developmental is a unique program for 37 students with significant challenges, including a 75.7% free/reduced lunch rate and 24.1% chronic absenteeism, and it does not report standard test scores. Overall, parents should weigh Austin's academic edge against Decatur High's stronger attendance and science performance, while recognizing that the specialized schools offer different, more supportive environments for students with specific needs.
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