Decatur Middle School

Summary:

Decatur Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 5-8 in Decatur, Arkansas, which is part of the Decatur School District. With 177 students, Decatur Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Arkansas middle schools over the past several years, with a ranking between 212-295 out of 300-335 schools.

Decatur Middle School faces significant challenges in terms of student academic performance, with test scores well below state averages across all subject areas and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, only 12% of Decatur Middle School students were proficient or better in ATLAS/Mathematics, compared to the state average of 36.4%. The school also has a 100% free/reduced lunch rate, indicating a very high-poverty student population, which is significantly higher than the nearby schools, ranging from 8.51% to 60.27% free/reduced lunch. Despite these challenges, Decatur Middle School has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 8.8 to 10 over the past few years, which is lower than the nearby schools, which have ratios between 12.4 to 18.5.

The persistent underperformance of Decatur Middle School compared to nearby higher-performing schools, such as Old High Middle School and Gravette Middle School, suggests a potential correlation between poverty and academic achievement, a common trend observed in education research. While the low student-teacher ratio at Decatur Middle School could be an asset, the school's consistent underperformance indicates that additional factors, such as curriculum, instructional practices, and school leadership, may need to be addressed to drive meaningful improvement.

Detail:

Public 5-8

1498 Stadium Ave
Decatur, AR 72722

(479) 752-3986

District: Decatur School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
280^th of 335 Arkansas Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,606

Students who attend Decatur Middle School usually attend:

High:

Decatur High School

Feeder schools for Decatur Middle School:

Elementary:

Decatur Northside Elementary

Student/teacher ratio: 10.4

Number of students: 156

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

41.0%

White:

39.1%

Asian:

9.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Decatur Middle School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2019 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.24. (See more...)

Compare Details Decatur Middle School ranks worse than 83.6% of middle schools in Arkansas. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.23. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (41%), White (39.1%), Asian (9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Decatur Middle School is 10.4. (See more...)

Compare Decatur Middle School employs 14.9 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Decatur Middle School is $9,606.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Decatur Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Decatur Middle School 280^th of 335 Arkansas public middle schools. (See Decatur Middle School in the ranking list.)

Decatur School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Decatur School District 221^st of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Decatur Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AR State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2019	23.24	399^th	488	18.2%

See the entire list of Arkansas Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Decatur Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	AR State Percentile
2017	16.75	280^th	315	11.1%
2018	9.08	295^th	318	7.2%
2019	16.34	285^th	319	10.7%
2021	41.27	212^th	330	35.8%
2022	32.61	236^th	318	25.8%
2023	33.56	239^th	330	27.6%
2024	22.23	280^th	335	16.4%

See the entire list of Arkansas Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Decatur Middle School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2015	66	3	6	37	5	1	1	119
2016	61	2	9	44	2	2	1	121
2017	115	5	11	77	2	3	0	213
2018	110	6	11	76	6	0	0	209
2019	125	6	8	73	4	0	2	218
2020	85	2	12	75	3	6	2	185
2021	78	3	13	73	3	8	7	185
2022	72	4	18	78	2	8	4	186
2023	72	2	16	69	4	5	9	177
2024	61	2	14	64	4	9	2	156

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 Decatur Middle School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2015	119	11.0	10.8	81.5
2016	121	12.0	10.0	81
2017	213	15.2	14.0	66.7
2018	209	16.4	12.7	72.2
2019	218	18.4	11.8	100
2020	185	20.1	9.1	100
2021	185	18.3	10.0	100
2022	186	18.6	9.9	100
2023	177	20.0	8.8	100
2024	156	14.9	10.4	100

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 Decatur Middle School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2015	119	11.0	10.8	81.5
2016	121	12.0	10.0	81
2017	213	15.2	14.0	66.7
2018	209	16.4	12.7	72.2
2019	218	18.4	11.8	100
2020	185	20.1	9.1	100
2021	185	18.3	10.0	100
2022	186	18.6	9.9	100
2023	177	20.0	8.8	100
2024	156	14.9	10.4	100

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 Decatur Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,635 (17.0%)	$7,971 (83.0%)	$9,606

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Decatur Middle 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 285^th of 319 Middle schools	Ranks 239^th of 330 Middle schools	16.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
5th Grade English (Decatur Middle School)	66.7	51.3	15.4%
5th Grade English (Decatur School District)	66.7	51.3	15.4%
5th Grade English (Arkansas)	73.3	70.2	3.1%
5th Grade Math (Decatur Middle School)	26.6	24.3	2.3%
5th Grade Math (Decatur School District)	26.6	24.3	2.3%
5th Grade Math (Arkansas)	49.2	40.7	8.5%
5th Grade Science (Decatur Middle School)	31.1	29.7	1.4%
5th Grade Science (Decatur School District)	31.1	29.7	1.4%
5th Grade Science (Arkansas)	40.7	34.6	6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Decatur Middle School)	31.1	27	4.1%
5th Grade Reading (Decatur School District)	31.1	27	4.1%
5th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	41	36.8	4.2%
6th Grade English (Decatur Middle School)	60.5	61.8	1.3%
6th Grade English (Decatur School District)	60.5	61.8	1.3%
6th Grade English (Arkansas)	72.8	67.6	5.2%
6th Grade Math (Decatur Middle School)	34.9	20.5	14.4%
6th Grade Math (Decatur School District)	34.9	20.5	14.4%
6th Grade Math (Arkansas)	53.7	47	6.7%
6th Grade Science (Decatur Middle School)	34.9	11.7	23.2%
6th Grade Science (Decatur School District)	34.9	11.7	23.2%
6th Grade Science (Arkansas)	45.8	40.3	5.5%
6th Grade Reading (Decatur Middle School)	28	20.6	7.4%
6th Grade Reading (Decatur School District)	28	20.6	7.4%
6th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	43.1	39	4.1%
7th Grade English (Decatur Middle School)	62.1	73.5	11.4%
7th Grade English (Decatur School District)	60.6	73.5	12.9%
7th Grade English (Arkansas)	78.3	75.1	3.2%
7th Grade Math (Decatur Middle School)	10.8	24.5	13.7%
7th Grade Math (Decatur School District)	10.5	24.5	14%
7th Grade Math (Arkansas)	47.7	39.6	8.1%
7th Grade Science (Decatur Middle School)	21.6	28.5	6.9%
7th Grade Science (Decatur School District)	21.1	28.5	7.4%
7th Grade Science (Arkansas)	43	38.5	4.5%
7th Grade Reading (Decatur Middle School)	18.9	24.5	5.6%
7th Grade Reading (Decatur School District)	18.5	24.5	6%
7th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	39.2	34.2	5%
8th Grade English (Decatur Middle School)	67.5	75.4	7.9%
8th Grade English (Decatur School District)	67.5	75.4	7.9%
8th Grade English (Arkansas)	74.1	69.2	4.9%
8th Grade Math (Decatur Middle School)	29.7	15.1	14.6%
8th Grade Math (Decatur School District)	29.7	15.1	14.6%
8th Grade Math (Arkansas)	47.7	37.9	9.8%
8th Grade Science (Decatur Middle School)	27	26.4	0.6%
8th Grade Science (Decatur School District)	27	26.4	0.6%
8th Grade Science (Arkansas)	42.5	36.1	6.4%
8th Grade Reading (Decatur Middle School)	37.8	54.7	16.9%
8th Grade Reading (Decatur School District)	37.8	54.7	16.9%
8th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	53.1	50.8	2.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	218	177	18.8%
African American	6	2	66.7%
American Indian	4	4
Asian	8	16	100%
Hispanic	73	69	5.5%
Pacific Islander	0	5
White	125	72	42.4%
Two or More Races	2	9	350%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Decatur Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2024)					ATLAS Reading (2024)					ATLAS Mathematics (2024)					ATLAS Algebra (2024)			ATLAS Geometry (2024)		ATLAS Science (2024)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading 7th Grade	ATLAS Reading 8th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 7th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 8th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 7th Grade	ATLAS Algebra 8th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Geometry 8th Grade	ATLAS Geometry All Grades	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science 7th Grade	ATLAS Science 8th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Decatur Middle School	Public	5-8	1498 Stadium Ave	Decatur	72722	Benton County	Decatur School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 752-3986	156	15	10.4	100.0%	61 (39.1%)	2 (1.3%)	64 (41.0%)	14 (9.0%)	4 (2.6%)	9 (5.8%)	2 (1.3%)	22.2	280^th of 335 public middle schools	16.4%		33.6	239^th of 330 public middle schools	27.6%	41	11.1	21.6	5.7	29.5	17.7	11.1	18.9	5.7	27.3	16.5	5.6	16.2	11.4	14.3	12.0						13.9	21.6	11.1	29.6	19.6	$9,606	$1,635	$7,971
Gravette Middle School	Public	6-8	607 Dallas SE	Gravette	72736	Benton County	Gravette School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 787-4160	521	39	13.2	42.6%	446 (85.6%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (7.3%)	12 (2.3%)	6 (1.2%)	3 (0.6%)	16 (3.1%)	83.4	36^th of 335 public middle schools	89.3%		85.3	28^th of 330 public middle schools	91.5%	8		44.9	37.0	47.6	43.0		44.9	39.3	48.7	44.2		47.7	50.9	54.3	50.7		84.8	85.7				50.6	46.2	61.3	52.5	$9,114	$1,175	$7,939
Gentry Middle School	Public	6-8	1265 Pioneer Ln	Gentry	72734	Benton County	Gentry School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 736-2251	398	30	13.3	59.0%	225 (56.5%)	5 (1.3%)	63 (15.8%)	30 (7.5%)	12 (3.0%)	7 (1.8%)	56 (14.1%)	45	185^th of 335 public middle schools	44.8%		52.4	170^th of 330 public middle schools	48.5%	15		21.7	27.9	38.3	28.5		22.9	27.9	37.4	28.8		22.3	24.1	34.7	26.1		85.0	85.0				28.3	30.3	53.1	36.2	$8,963	$1,482	$7,480
Grimsley Junior High School	Public	7-8	850 N Vaughn Rd	Centerton	72713	Benton County	Bentonville School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 360-7500	906	56	16.2	22.1%	578 (63.8%)	38 (4.2%)	142 (15.7%)	71 (7.8%)	9 (1.0%)	9 (1.0%)	59 (6.5%)	92.5	16^th of 335 public middle schools	95.2%		85.5	27^th of 330 public middle schools	91.8%	11			52.6	52.8	52.7			50.2	51.8	50.9			65.6	47.3	58.6	100.0	77.1	78.7	100.0	100.0			54.7	57.2	56.0
Siloam Springs Intermediate School	Public	5-6	1500 N Mt Olive St	Siloam Springs	72761	Benton County	Siloam Springs School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 524-8152	695	39	17.9	61.7%	323 (46.5%)	5 (0.7%)	255 (36.7%)	19 (2.7%)	31 (4.5%)	8 (1.2%)	54 (7.8%)								(n/a)	31.7	36.7			34.4	32.2	35.8			34.2	36.7	47.1			42.4						32.6	36.6			34.8	$8,077	$1,418	$6,659
Ardis Ann Middle School	Public	5-6	3400 Hwy 72 W	Bentonville	72712	Benton County	Bentonville School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 254-5510	588	37	16.0	16.7%	423 (71.9%)	30 (5.1%)	59 (10.0%)	36 (6.1%)	7 (1.2%)	6 (1.0%)	27 (4.6%)								(n/a)	54.8	60.4			57.8	55.0	59.0			57.1	60.2	69.2			65.1						56.9	58.3			57.6	$8,506	$1,254	$7,252
Creekside Middle School	Public	5-6	2901 SW 28th St	Bentonville	72712	Benton County	Bentonville School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 286-9600	757	37	20.3	24.3%	480 (63.4%)	21 (2.8%)	118 (15.6%)	87 (11.5%)	10 (1.3%)	6 (0.8%)	35 (4.6%)								(n/a)	54.1	48.3			51.3	54.4	47.8			51.1	59.0	62.2			60.6						52.9	51.4			52.1	$10,528	$1,926	$8,601
J. William Fulbright Junior High School	Public	7-8	5303 SW Bright Rd	Bentonville	72712	Benton County	Bentonville School District	No	No	No	No	(479) 254-5000	674	47	14.3	11.7%	440 (65.3%)	17 (2.5%)	79 (11.7%)	100 (14.8%)	11 (1.6%)	6 (0.9%)	21 (3.1%)	96.5	9^th of 335 public middle schools	97.3%		97.2	4^th of 330 public middle schools	98.8%	5			71.3	58.1	64.5			71.3	57.4	64.2			80.3	49.3	69.7	100.0	77.7	81.0	100.0	100.0			70.4	70.1	70.2	$9,646	$1,132	$8,513
Bright Field Middle School	Public	5-6	5101 SW Bright Rd	Bentonville	72712	Benton County	Bentonville School District	No	No	No	No	(479) 418-7200	670	33	20.1	6.1%	447 (66.7%)	18 (2.7%)	57 (8.5%)	111 (16.6%)	6 (0.9%)	2 (0.3%)	29 (4.3%)								(n/a)	72.8	71.7			72.3	72.3	70.8			71.5	73.5	82.6			78.0						72.6	69.6			71.1	$8,741	$885	$7,856
Siloam Springs Middle School	Public	7-8	1500 N Mt Olive	Siloam Springs	72761	Benton County	Siloam Springs School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 524-6184	696	46	15.1	56.8%	329 (47.3%)	15 (2.2%)	231 (33.2%)	23 (3.3%)	34 (4.9%)	12 (1.7%)	52 (7.5%)	56.8	121^st of 335 public middle schools	63.9%		62.2	116^th of 330 public middle schools	64.8%	5			31.7	31.8	31.7			33.4	32.7	33.1			35.5	22.1	29.9		73.7	73.7					38.3	39.6	39.0	$10,189	$1,521	$8,668

Frequently Asked Questions about Decatur Middle School

Is Decatur Middle School a good school?

Decatur Middle School ranks in the bottom 16.4% of Arkansas middle schools.

How many students attend Decatur Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 156 students attended Decatur Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Decatur Middle School?

Students at Decatur Middle School are 41% Hispanic, 39% White, 9% Asian, 6% Pacific Islander, 3% American Indian, 1% African American, 1% Two or more races.

What district is Decatur Middle School in?

Decatur School District

What high school do graduates of Decatur Middle School attend?

Students who attend Decatur Middle School usually go on to attend Decatur High School

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary 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.