Summary:
Zip code 30030 in Decatur, Georgia, is home to 7 elementary schools serving grades PK through 5, all part of the City Schools of Decatur district, a high-performing, well-resourced district in an affluent suburban community.
This district dramatically outperforms state averages across every subject. Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School is the academic leader, ranked 67th in Georgia with a 92.5% 4th grade math proficiency rate—nearly double the state average—and all math scores above 80%. Talley Street Upper Elementary School is a close, consistent performer, ranking 107th and uniquely exceeding the district average in 5th grade science (71.4% vs. 68.3%). Among the PK–2 primary schools, Westchester Elementary School stands out for exceptional attendance at just 2.4% chronic absenteeism, while Clairemont Elementary School is the outlier with the highest absenteeism (11.0%) and highest free/reduced lunch rate (32.1%), though it earned a 5-star rating historically.
District-wide, chronic absenteeism is remarkably low—9.5% versus the state's 17.7%—and every school except Clairemont stays below 5%. There is a clear spending paradox: the two upper elementary schools spend the least per student (around $19,000–$20,000) yet achieve the top rankings, while primary schools like Westchester spend over $30,000 per student, reflecting economies of scale rather than quality differences. Student-teacher ratios are favorable, ranging from 9.8 to 13.1. The five primary schools lack recent rank data because state testing begins in 3rd grade, but their historical performance (94th–100th percentile) indicates a strong feeder system into the upper elementary schools. Overall, this district offers exceptional academics, low absenteeism, and strong community support, making it an excellent choice for families.
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