Summary:
Decatur County Schools in rural West Tennessee serves one high school: Riverside High School in Decaturville, enrolling 440 students in grades 9 through 12. The district itself ranks 57th out of 141 Tennessee districts with a 3-star rating, while Riverside earns a stronger 4-star rating and ranks 109th out of 400 Tennessee high schools, placing it in the 73rd percentile for the 2025-2026 school year.
Riverside consistently outperforms its home district across most tested subjects. In 2025-2026, the school's average proficiency across seven subjects was about 41.4%, compared to 37.0% for the district and 42.8% for the state. Mathematics is a particular strength: Algebra I proficiency reached 40.0% versus 32.3% statewide, and Geometry hit 43.2% versus 42.3% statewide. English II is another bright spot, with 58.0% proficiency in 2025-2026 and an exceptional 72.0% the prior year, far ahead of the state's 54.3%. The school also reports a dropout rate of just 2.8%, less than half the state average of 6.7%.
However, not every subject shines. U.S. History proficiency was just 27.0% in 2025-2026, roughly 15 points behind the state, and 22.2% the prior year. Riverside also posted an unusual split in Biology I: 9th graders achieved a remarkable 94.4% proficiency, while 10th graders reached only 31.2%, suggesting a possible accelerated-cohort effect. The graduation rate of 89.8% sits slightly below the state's 90.5%, and chronic absenteeism affects 17.2% of students—about one in six. The school spends $12,144 per student, though comparable figures are unavailable. Overall, Riverside is a solid choice with strong math and English instruction, though U.S. History and attendance deserve attention.
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