Austinville Elementary School

Austinville Elementary School in Decatur, AL, is a PK-5 school serving 463 students in the Decatur City district, where about two-thirds of students come from low-income households. The school has been on a strong upward climb, jumping from the bottom fifth of Alabama elementary schools two years ago to the 38th percentile today—a rise of 130 places in the state rankings.

What makes Austinville stand out is its remarkable success with specific groups of students. The school ranks in the 81st percentile statewide for Hispanic students and the 72nd percentile for English Language Learners—both huge improvements in just two years. It also performs above the state median for African American and low-income students. This is especially notable when compared to nearby Eastwood Elementary School, which ranks higher overall (73rd percentile) but serves a much wealthier student body and spends about 50% more per student. Austinville is achieving strong results with fewer resources and a more economically challenged population. Math gains have been particularly dramatic—5th grade math proficiency jumped from 10% to 43% in two years, now above the state average. Attendance is also a major strength, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.5%, less than half the state average.

However, there are clear areas needing attention. The school's overall ranking is held back by lower performance among White students, and special education students rank in the 10th percentile—a significant decline. There's also a notable gender gap, with boys outperforming girls by a wide margin. English and science scores still lag behind math, though they are improving. For parents, Austinville offers a school that is clearly moving in the right direction, with dedicated support for diverse learners and a strong culture of attendance—but one that still has work to do in ensuring every student group experiences the same level of success.