Decatur Public Schools

Decatur Public Schools is a small, predominantly low-income Michigan district serving about 755 students in two schools: Decatur Junior Senior High School (grades 6-12) and Davis Elementary School (grades K-5).

The district’s standout feature is its remarkable student persistence. Decatur Junior Senior High School boasts a 92.3% graduation rate—well above the state’s 84.0%—and a 0% dropout rate, despite test scores that trail state averages in most subjects. Its strongest academic showing is in 11th-grade Social Studies (41.7% proficient, just 1.5 points below the state), while 8th-grade PSAT Math is a major concern at only 13.1% proficiency (a 20-point gap). The school also excels at keeping students in class, with chronic absenteeism at 24.5%, below the state’s 27.9%. Davis Elementary School shows stronger relative performance, particularly in 4th grade, where Math proficiency (39.4%) exactly matches the state average and ELA (38%) is close. Its 5th-grade Science jumped to 61.3% in 2024-2025 (21 points above the state) before falling to 33.3% the next year, illustrating significant year-to-year volatility likely tied to small class sizes. Elementary chronic absenteeism is a bright spot at 19.8%, the lowest in the district.

Both schools have seen ranking declines in 2025-2026, with the high school dropping from the 53rd to 43rd percentile and the elementary from the 59th to 38th percentile. The district spends generously—$17,322 per high school student and $19,130 per elementary student—yet outcomes remain below state averages, suggesting funds may be supporting graduation and attendance rather than test scores. The most pressing issue is a steep math decline at the 8th-grade transition, alongside foundational literacy gaps (3rd-grade ELA is just 19.6% proficient). For parents, this district offers a caring, supportive environment that keeps kids in school and on track to graduate, but families should be prepared for academic challenges, especially in secondary math and early reading.