Best Public Schools in Decatur, GA

The city of Decatur, Georgia is home to 41 schools, including 27 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, and 5 high schools, operated by two school districts - the City Schools of Decatur and the DeKalb County School District. The data reveals stark performance differences between the two districts, with the City Schools of Decatur consistently ranking among the top schools in the state, while the DeKalb County district schools generally struggle, with many in the bottom quartile.

Some of the standout schools in the area include Decatur High School, which is consistently ranked in the top 60 high schools in Georgia with a 96.6% 4-year graduation rate and strong test scores. Beacon Hill Middle School and Talley Street Upper Elementary School are also top-ranked schools in the City Schools of Decatur district, with exceptional test scores that far exceed state and district averages. In contrast, schools in the DeKalb County district, such as Southwest DeKalb High School and Columbia High School, have lower graduation rates and much lower proficiency rates on state assessments.

The data also reveals significant disparities in per-student spending, with specialized schools like Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers spending significantly more per student than the typical elementary or middle school. This suggests the City Schools of Decatur district is willing to invest more resources in schools serving unique student populations. Overall, the analysis highlights the need to address the performance gap between the high-achieving City Schools of Decatur and the lower-performing DeKalb County district schools to ensure all students in the Decatur area have access to a quality education.