Summary:
Zip code 38329, a rural area in Tennessee, is served by two schools in Decatur County Schools: Decaturville Elementary School (PK–5, 230 students) and Riverside High School (9–12, 440 students). Both schools have earned 4-star ratings, and the district itself ranks in the 60th percentile of Tennessee districts, making this a strong educational ecosystem for a small community.
Decaturville Elementary is the true standout. It ranks in the 89th percentile statewide and posts impressive proficiency rates that far exceed both the district and state averages. In math, 82.9% of students are proficient—nearly double the state average of 43.0%—and the school improved by 22 percentage points in a single year. English language arts (63.2%) and science (60.5%) also outperform district and state benchmarks. Spending per student is $13,609, and its most recent chronic absenteeism rate was just 6.2%, indicating strong engagement. For parents, this is a school where early academic foundations, especially in math, are clearly a priority.
Riverside High School offers a solid, steady high school experience. It ranks in the 73rd percentile and outperforms the district in several subjects, though results are mixed. A striking gap exists between 9th-grade Biology I proficiency (94.4%) and 10th-grade Biology I (31.2%), suggesting cohort-level differences rather than a school-wide weakness. US History remains the lowest subject at 27% proficiency, well below the state average of 42.4%. On the positive side, Riverside’s dropout rate is just 2.8%—less than half the state average of 6.7%—and its graduation rate (89.8%) is close to the state figure. With per-student spending of $12,144, slightly less than the elementary school, Riverside delivers competitive results while keeping students in school.
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