Austin Junior High School

Austin Junior High School in Decatur, AL, is an in-person alternative school serving 664 students in grades 8-9 within the Decatur City district. It’s a school that has shown real momentum in recent years, especially in math and English, even while serving a student body where about 65% qualify for free or reduced lunch—a higher rate than many nearby alternatives.

One of the most encouraging trends is the school’s steady academic improvement. In 8th-grade math, proficiency has climbed from about 17% in 2024-2025 to 23% in 2025-2026, consistently beating the district average by a few points. English scores have also risen from roughly 41% to nearly 50% over three years, now matching the district level. That said, science remains a weak spot, with scores trailing the district by 2-4 points and the gap to the state widening. Compared to nearby virtual options like Alabama Connections Academy (4% math proficiency) and Renaissance Virtual School (10% math proficiency), Austin Junior High is far ahead in math. However, Athens Renaissance School posts stronger science (68%) and English (70%) scores, though it serves a much lower-poverty population (21% free/reduced lunch).

Attendance has also improved dramatically. Chronic absenteeism dropped from 18.4% in 2021-2022 to about 8.5% the next year, and it has stayed in the single digits or low teens since—better than the state average. With a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 and a focus solely on 8th and 9th graders, the school can concentrate resources on the critical transition to high school. While the district’s overall rating is 2 stars, Austin Junior High’s upward trajectory in core subjects and attendance makes it a school worth watching for families in the Decatur area.