Summary:
The Decatur School District in Arkansas is home to one elementary school, Decatur Northside Elementary, which serves students from Pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade with a total enrollment of 278 students.
Decatur Northside Elementary is a school on a strong upward trajectory, having made a remarkable turnaround in just two years. The school jumped from the 15th percentile (a 1-star rating) in the 2023-2024 school year to the 43rd percentile (a 2-star rating) in the 2025-2026 school year, climbing 138 spots in the state rankings. This improvement is especially notable given that 100% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating a student body with very high economic need. The school also boasts a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 and spends $13,129 per student, reflecting a significant investment in its students.
Academically, the school has notable strengths and areas for growth. In the 2025-2026 school year, Decatur Northside Elementary surpassed the state average in both Mathematics (45.5% proficient vs. 44.1% statewide) and Science (45.6% vs. 44.0%). A standout area is 4th grade Math, where 56.2% of students are proficient—a full 9.2 percentage points above the state average. However, English Language Arts and Reading remain challenges, with proficiency rates around 34%, which is roughly 5-6 points below the state average. This suggests that while the school is making impressive gains in math and science, continued focus on literacy will be key to its ongoing success.
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