Best Elementary Schools in Decatur, GA

The city of Decatur, Georgia is home to 27 elementary schools serving students from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, with a mix of public and public charter schools. The schools in this area display a wide range of academic performance, with some standout institutions like Talley Street Upper Elementary School and Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary School ranking among the top elementary schools in the state and significantly outperforming the county and state averages on test scores. In contrast, other schools like Peachcrest Elementary School and Oakview Elementary have much lower proficiency rates.

The diverse student population in Decatur's elementary schools is reflected in the racial makeup, with African American students making up the majority in many schools. However, some of the top-performing schools like Talley Street Upper Elementary and Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary have a higher percentage of white and Asian students. Additionally, the schools with the highest academic achievement tend to have lower rates of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a correlation between economic disadvantage and student outcomes. Interestingly, the data suggests that factors beyond just funding and student demographics, such as school leadership and teaching quality, may be driving the success of the top-performing schools.

Overall, the elementary school landscape in Decatur, Georgia is complex, with a mix of high-performing and low-performing institutions. The City Schools of Decatur district, which includes the top-ranked Talley Street Upper Elementary and Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary, appears to be outperforming the larger DeKalb County district, which encompasses the majority of the other schools in the area. This highlights the importance of understanding the unique factors that contribute to student achievement in diverse, economically disadvantaged communities like Decatur.