Summary:
There are three middle schools serving grades 6-8 in zip code 30034 in Decatur, GA, all part of the DeKalb County district, where every student qualifies for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a uniformly high-poverty area.
Chapel Hill Middle School is the clear standout, ranking in the 27th percentile statewide—well above its peers—and is the only school in the area to exceed the district average in any subject, notably social studies (25.2% proficient vs. 21.6% district). It also leads in 6th grade math (21.5%) and 8th grade science (22.7%), while maintaining the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (23.1%). Columbia Middle School shows a striking anomaly: only 8.4% of 6th graders and 6.1% of 7th graders are proficient in math, yet 28.3% of 8th graders achieve proficiency—nearly matching Chapel Hill’s 28.2% and far exceeding its own lower grades. However, Columbia’s social studies proficiency is alarmingly low at 3.5%, and its overall ranking sits at the 12th percentile. Cedar Grove Middle School ranks lowest (6th percentile) and has the highest chronic absenteeism (36.0%), with math proficiency stuck in the 9% range across all grades.
Chronic absenteeism strongly tracks with performance: Cedar Grove’s 36% rate corresponds to its lowest scores, while Chapel Hill’s 23.1% aligns with its highest. Spending does not predict outcomes—Columbia spends the most per student ($22,381) yet performs weakest overall, while Chapel Hill’s mid-range spending yields the best results. All three schools trail state averages dramatically, and DeKalb County itself ranks in the bottom third of Georgia districts, indicating systemic challenges. For parents, Chapel Hill is the strongest choice, Columbia offers a puzzling but promising 8th grade math program, and Cedar Grove faces the steepest hurdles, though its year-over-year volatility suggests potential for change.
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