Schools in Decatur, MS

Decatur, Mississippi, a small community in Newton County, is served by two public schools under the Newton County School District: Newton County Elementary School (grades PK–6, 882 students) and Newton County High School (grades 7–12, 768 students). There is no standalone middle school; the high school covers the secondary grades. The district as a whole is highly rated, ranking 12th out of 134 Mississippi districts (91st percentile, 5-star).

Newton County Elementary School is the standout academic performer, ranking #43 out of 377 elementary schools in the state (89th percentile). Its 3rd grade results are exceptional: 85.5% proficiency in ELA and 81.0% in math, compared to state averages of about 48% for both. The school also has low chronic absenteeism at 14.4%. Newton County High School, meanwhile, ranks #59 out of 224 high schools (74th percentile) and boasts a 93.8% graduation rate, above the state's 89.2%. Its math and science performance is particularly strong, with 8th grade math at 84.9% (vs. 51.4% statewide) and 8th grade science at 85.8% (vs. 57.8%).

While elementary students start exceptionally strong in 3rd grade, there is a noticeable drop-off by 4th and 5th grades, though scores remain above state averages. At the high school, the primary weak spot is 7th grade ELA, which fell to 32.3% proficiency — below the state average of 36.7% — even though 8th grade ELA rebounds to 65.1%. Chronic absenteeism is also notably higher at the high school level at 21.9%, compared to 14.4% at the elementary. Last year also saw significant swings in scores, including a 24.5-point jump in 3rd grade math and a 14.1-point decline in 7th grade ELA. One data quirk worth noting: 6th grade test scores were reported under the high school in 2025–2026, whereas they appeared under the elementary in the prior year — possibly indicating a grade reconfiguration or reporting change. Overall, both schools contribute to a strong district that ranks in the top 10% of Mississippi.