West Decatur Elementary School

Summary:

West Decatur Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 346 students in grades PK-5 in Decatur, Alabama, which is part of the Decatur City school district. The school has a predominantly Hispanic student population (68.5%) and a high percentage of students from low-income families (89.31% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch).

West Decatur Elementary consistently ranks in the bottom quarter of Alabama elementary schools, with significantly below-average performance on state assessments across all grade levels and subject areas. The school struggles to support the academic achievement of its diverse student population, ranking in the bottom quarter of Alabama elementary schools for Hispanic, African American, English Language Learner, and low-income students. West Decatur Elementary also has lower funding and resources than the district average, with a higher student-teacher ratio.

Compared to nearby schools like Eastwood Elementary, which ranks in the top 10% of Alabama elementary schools, West Decatur Elementary's academic performance lags significantly. This racial and socioeconomic segregation likely contributes to the achievement gaps observed between West Decatur and other Decatur City elementary schools. To address these challenges, the school district may need to explore strategies such as increasing funding and resources, implementing evidence-based instructional practices, and strengthening community partnerships to support the unique needs of West Decatur Elementary's diverse student population.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 708 Memorial Dr Sw
       Decatur, AL  35601-2917


(256) 552-3027

District: Decatur City

SchoolDigger Rank:
625th of 684 Alabama Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,695 Help


Students who attend West Decatur Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Austin Middle School
High:    Austin High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.8 Help
Number of students:  346

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
68.5%
African American:
20.5%
White:
8.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  89.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details West Decatur Elementary School ranks worse than 91.4% of elementary schools in Alabama. It also ranks 10th among 11 ranked elementary schools in the Decatur City School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.33. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (68.5%), African American (20.5%), White (8.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 89.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Decatur City School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at West Decatur Elementary School is 17.8. 9 elementary schools in the Decatur City School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare West Decatur Elementary School employs 19.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Decatur Elementary School is $10,695, which is the 5th highest among 11 elementary schools in the Decatur City School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

West Decatur Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks West Decatur Elementary School 625th of 684 Alabama public elementary schools. (See West Decatur Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Decatur City:

SchoolDigger ranks Decatur City 92nd of 137 Alabama school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for West Decatur Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at West Decatur Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 7.47 612th 623 1.8%
2005 16.24 636th 688 7.6%
2006 18.50 636th 689 7.7%
2007 16.76 641st 698 8.2%
2008 26.16 600th 698 14.0%
2009 23.99 604th 696 13.2%
2010 26.32 602nd 704 14.5%
2011 27.14 592nd 709 16.5%
2012 27.98 580th 696 16.7%
2013 42.37 499th 696 28.3%
2014 19.08 592nd 695 14.8%
2015 24.73 540th 691 21.9%
2016 7.35 669th 691 3.2%
2017 7.44 667th 688 3.1%
2018 8.75 640th 680 5.9%
2019 12.32 620th 681 9.0%
2021 15.03 596th 692 13.9%
2022 12.60 609th 687 11.4%
2023 9.94 635th 680 6.6%
2024 11.33 625th 684 8.6%
See the entire list of Alabama Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at West Decatur Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 18.67 25th 25 0.0%
2018 37.36 45th 65 30.8%
2019 22.74 69th 74 6.8%
2021 22.12 94th 100 6.0%
2022 24.47 97th 110 11.8%
2023 22.68 112th 123 8.9%
2024 29.38 110th 131 16.0%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at West Decatur Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.95 270th 344 21.5%
2024 15.34 376th 395 4.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at West Decatur Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 8.34 548th 567 3.4%
2018 9.12 629th 651 3.4%
2019 16.21 590th 649 9.1%
2021 22.70 521st 653 20.2%
2022 11.63 625th 651 4.0%
2023 12.28 587th 623 5.8%
2024 14.06 612th 670 8.7%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at West Decatur Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 8.33 618th 639 3.3%
2018 11.14 589th 640 8.0%
2019 15.22 572nd 646 11.5%
2021 15.26 576th 656 12.2%
2022 10.85 611th 656 6.9%
2023 12.28 586th 645 9.1%
2024 10.01 622nd 650 4.3%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at West Decatur Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 9.75 605th 639 5.3%
2018 10.37 608th 650 6.5%
2019 15.57 571st 650 12.2%
2021 16.46 561st 669 16.1%
2022 15.01 573rd 669 14.3%
2023 9.59 609th 649 6.2%
2024 13.54 577th 655 11.9%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at West Decatur Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 6.56 336th 336 0.0%
2018 5.78 423rd 423 0.0%
2019 33.93 298th 426 30.0%
2021 22.99 360th 426 15.5%
2022 28.23 320th 426 24.9%
2023 17.19 401st 427 6.1%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at West Decatur Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 20.42 116th 130 10.8%
2018 28.43 111th 140 20.7%
2019 14.60 142nd 152 6.6%
2021 18.88 151st 164 7.9%
2022 17.25 158th 175 9.7%
2023 14.26 178th 184 3.3%
2024 19.17 183rd 196 6.6%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at West Decatur Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 4.49 524th 529 0.9%
2021 6.12 531st 539 1.5%
2022 4.89 531st 540 1.7%
2023 3.01 524th 528 0.8%
2024 5.00 525th 535 1.9%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Alabama State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

West Decatur Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Alabama State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for West Decatur Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 323 323
1989 208 127 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 335
1990 198 137 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 336
1991 187 93 0 3 1 n/a n/a 0 284
1992 164 87 0 3 4 n/a n/a 0 258
1993 155 83 0 11 2 n/a n/a 0 251
1994 146 109 0 20 1 n/a n/a 0 276
1995 114 125 0 35 1 n/a n/a 0 275
1996 114 125 0 35 1 n/a n/a 0 275
1997 90 124 0 38 0 n/a n/a 0 252
1998 79 129 0 36 0 n/a n/a 0 244
1999 69 129 1 56 2 n/a n/a 0 257
2000 66 183 1 83 1 n/a n/a 0 334
2001 54 157 1 84 0 n/a n/a 0 296
2002 46 168 0 121 0 n/a n/a 0 335
2003 46 168 0 121 0 n/a n/a 0 335
2004 49 180 0 145 0 n/a n/a 3 377
2005 46 151 0 153 0 n/a n/a 0 350
2006 41 178 3 193 0 n/a n/a 7 422
2007 29 142 3 106 0 n/a n/a 4 284
2008 34 131 3 106 0 n/a n/a 0 274
2009 31 121 0 109 0 n/a n/a 0 261
2010 44 123 0 129 0 n/a n/a 4 300
2012 32 115 3 136 2 1 10 0 299
2013 51 107 0 134 0 1 11 0 304
2014 45 108 1 161 0 0 13 0 328
2015 41 102 0 150 0 0 13 0 306
2016 46 86 0 165 0 0 2 0 299
2017 33 77 0 175 0 0 8 0 293
2018 26 67 0 197 0 0 12 0 302
2019 16 86 0 194 0 0 11 0 307
2020 28 71 0 215 0 0 12 0 326
2021 35 71 0 207 0 0 7 0 320
2022 28 87 0 220 0 1 8 0 344
2023 28 71 0 237 0 1 9 0 346

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at West Decatur Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 323 21.0 15.3 0
1989 335 21.0 15.9 n/a
1990 336 21.0 16.0 0
1991 284 17.0 16.7 n/a
1992 258 16.0 16.1 n/a
1993 251 17.0 14.8 n/a
1994 276 19.0 14.5 n/a
1995 275 19.0 14.5 n/a
1996 275 19.0 14.5 n/a
1997 252 18.0 14.0 68.7
1998 244 17.0 14.4 71.7
1999 257 17.0 15.1 82.9
2000 334 21.0 15.9 86.2
2001 296 22.0 13.5 88.5
2002 335 25.0 13.4 73.1
2003 335 25.0 13.4 73.1
2004 377 26.5 14.2 90.4
2005 350 28.0 12.5 95.1
2006 422 30.0 13.8 98.6
2007 284 24.0 11.8 85.4
2008 274 23.5 11.7 83.9
2009 261 22.3 11.6 82.8
2010 300 25.0 12.0 87.5
2012 299 28.0 10.6 90.3
2013 304 27.0 11.2 88.8
2014 328 24.9 13.1 89
2015 306 18.0 17.0 60.5
2016 299 20.0 14.9 54.5
2017 293 18.3 15.9 54.6
2018 302 16.8 17.9 89.1
2019 307 17.3 17.7 88.6
2020 326 18.3 17.7 89
2021 320 21.3 15.0 89.1
2022 344 19.3 17.7 90.1
2023 346 19.3 17.8 89.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio West Decatur Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 323 21.0 15.3 0
1989 335 21.0 15.9 n/a
1990 336 21.0 16.0 0
1991 284 17.0 16.7 n/a
1992 258 16.0 16.1 n/a
1993 251 17.0 14.8 n/a
1994 276 19.0 14.5 n/a
1995 275 19.0 14.5 n/a
1996 275 19.0 14.5 n/a
1997 252 18.0 14.0 68.7
1998 244 17.0 14.4 71.7
1999 257 17.0 15.1 82.9
2000 334 21.0 15.9 86.2
2001 296 22.0 13.5 88.5
2002 335 25.0 13.4 73.1
2003 335 25.0 13.4 73.1
2004 377 26.5 14.2 90.4
2005 350 28.0 12.5 95.1
2006 422 30.0 13.8 98.6
2007 284 24.0 11.8 85.4
2008 274 23.5 11.7 83.9
2009 261 22.3 11.6 82.8
2010 300 25.0 12.0 87.5
2012 299 28.0 10.6 90.3
2013 304 27.0 11.2 88.8
2014 328 24.9 13.1 89
2015 306 18.0 17.0 60.5
2016 299 20.0 14.9 54.5
2017 293 18.3 15.9 54.6
2018 302 16.8 17.9 89.1
2019 307 17.3 17.7 88.6
2020 326 18.3 17.7 89
2021 320 21.3 15.0 89.1
2022 344 19.3 17.7 90.1
2023 346 19.3 17.8 89.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for West Decatur Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,257 (11.8%) $9,437 (88.2%) $10,695

Data source: Alabama Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on West Decatur Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 620th of 681 Elementary schoolsRanks 635th of 680 Elementary schools
 2.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (West Decatur Elementary School)36.85.7
 31.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Decatur City)60.238.4
 21.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Alabama)57.543.6
 13.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (West Decatur Elementary School)21.84.8
 17.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Decatur City)45.935.1
 10.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)47.334.9
 12.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (West Decatur Elementary School)25.615.3
 10.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Decatur City)46.332.3
 14%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)44.933.9
 10.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students307346
 12.7%
African American8671
 17.4%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic194237
 22.2%
Pacific Islander01
White1628
 75%
Two or More Races119
 18.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients88.6%89.3%
 0.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about West Decatur Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 346 students attended West Decatur Elementary School.

West Decatur Elementary School ranks in the bottom 8.6% of Alabama elementary schools.

Students who attend West Decatur Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Austin Middle School
High : Austin High School

Students at West Decatur Elementary School are 68% Hispanic, 21% African American, 8% White, 3% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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