Is Southwest DeKalb High School a good school?

Southwest DeKalb High School ranks 271 st of 458 Georgia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Southwest DeKalb High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,207 students attended Southwest DeKalb High School.

What is the racial makeup of Southwest DeKalb High School?

Students at Southwest DeKalb High School are 94% African American, 4% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

What schools feed into Southwest DeKalb High School?

Southwest DeKalb High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Bob Mathis Elementary School Elementary : Rainbow Elementary School Middle : Chapel Hill Middle School

Southwest DeKalb High School

Summary:

Southwest DeKalb High School is a public high school located in Decatur, Georgia, serving 1,307 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the DeKalb County School District, which is ranked 138 out of 203 districts in Georgia and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Southwest DeKalb High School has seen fluctuating four-year graduation rates, ranging from 81.6% in 2020-2021 to 86.5% in 2017-2018. While the graduation rate is above the state average, it is lower compared to some nearby schools like DeKalb School of the Arts (98.7%) and Lithonia High School (79.0%). The school's test scores on the Milestones Assessments are generally lower than the state and county averages across various subjects. Additionally, 100% of Southwest DeKalb High School students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage in the student population.

When compared to nearby schools, Southwest DeKalb High School generally performs worse on key metrics like graduation rates and test scores. For instance, DeKalb School of the Arts, a magnet school within the same district, has significantly higher test scores and a much higher graduation rate than Southwest DeKalb High School. Despite the higher spending per student at Southwest DeKalb High School compared to the state average, the school's academic outcomes remain relatively low, suggesting that factors beyond just funding, such as instructional quality, school leadership, and community engagement, may be playing a role in the school's performance.

Detail:

Public 9-12

2863 Kelley Chapel Rd
Decatur, GA 30034

(678) 874-1902

District: DeKalb County

SchoolDigger Rank:
271^st of 458 Georgia High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,703

Feeder schools for Southwest DeKalb High School:

Elementary:	Bob Mathis Elementary School
	Rainbow Elementary School
Middle:	Chapel Hill Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.0

Number of students: 1,207

Racial breakdown:

African American:

94.0%

Hispanic:

3.8%

Two or more races:

1.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 76%

See top rated Georgia high schools

Compare Southwest DeKalb High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Southwest DeKalb High School ranks worse than 59.2% of high schools in Georgia. It also ranks 9^th among 23 ranked high schools in the DeKalb County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.88. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Southwest DeKalb High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (94%), Hispanic (3.8%), two or more races (1.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 76% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southwest DeKalb High School is 15, which is the 7^th best among 23 high schools in the DeKalb County School District. (See more...)

Compare Southwest DeKalb High School employs 80.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southwest DeKalb High School is $11,703, which is the 9^th highest among 23 high schools in the DeKalb County School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Southwest DeKalb High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Southwest DeKalb High School 271^st of 458 Georgia public high schools. (See Southwest DeKalb High School in the ranking list.)

DeKalb County:

SchoolDigger ranks DeKalb County 138^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Southwest DeKalb High School.

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Rank History for Southwest DeKalb High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	35.35	245^th	335	26.9%
2007	42.33	228^th	358	36.3%
2008	44.73	224^th	370	39.5%
2009	43.53	243^rd	372	34.7%
2010	52.26	185^th	384	51.8%
2011	49.54	227^th	402	43.5%
2012	40.18	262^nd	396	33.8%
2013	41.03	278^th	425	34.6%
2014	38.24	281^st	425	33.9%
2015	40.37	218^th	435	49.9%
2016	43.16	199^th	426	53.3%
2017	33.94	247^th	420	41.2%
2018	43.14	201^st	428	53.0%
2019	34.69	262^nd	438	40.2%
2021	39.37	216^th	410	47.3%
2022	34.75	253^rd	429	41.0%
2023	35.00	260^th	442	41.2%
2024	34.88	271^st	458	40.8%

See the entire list of Georgia High School Rankings!

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

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.7)

67%

33%

Reviews:

by a parent
Thursday, April 25, 2019

Great teachers, bright and ambitious students, and a community who cares. Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, November 7, 2010

I just enrolled my daughter in SW Dekalb and from what I thought it would be a good school, my daughter has a 3.9167 GPA and has made honor roll since she has been kindergarten. My daughter loves school and this has been an unwelcoming experience for her where does not want to go to school. I believe that daughter would be an asset to the school with her test scores and character when it comes to education; whereas before we moved this year she would be taking college courses.

The hallways do not stay clear, children need to be in class. There needs to be better monitoring, what I have seen that works is that when the bell rings classroom doors need to shut and lock so that the teacher can be aware who is in class and who is not and with no pass they are redirected to an administrator or caught in the hall sweep it is senseless when the parents come in and see this type of behavior.

I am not used to this type of school environment and neither is my daughter, there should be a type of respect and dignity when it comes to education and schooling which is not all the teachers or administrators responsibility, there should be stricter consequences when it comes to discipline in the school environment and parents should be notified of their child's behavior and actions. It reminded me of a milder school within Lean on Me (the movie). To the point I am getting ready to find a better school for my daughter and address the school board here, I know what corrupt schools are like I come from Washington, DC and North Carolina dealing with the school system and abrupt changes can be made, I have already spoken with the principle there and I do not know what actions will be taken but I hope some are taken for the sake of the children. Close Quote

by a teacher
Wednesday, April 14, 2010

As a former graduate and now an employee of Southwest DeKalb High School, I must say that I am so excited about the new programs and initiatives at the school. I think since the school has gotten a new principal (A. Bethea) the school is now moving back in the positive direction it was once in. There is no easy solution to any problem but the new administrative team is great! They seem to handle parent and student concerns with effective means to getting problems resolved. I think that with the principal that is currently in place Southwest DeKalb will rise in rankings not only for test scores but for the overall well-being of the students herein. Great job SWD! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Southwest DeKalb High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1422	1422
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	1471	1471
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1547	1547
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	1283	1283
1994	5	1402	2	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	1413
1995	7	1674	3	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	1685
1996	7	1674	3	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	1685
1997	22	1891	4	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	1922
1998	22	1882	7	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	1916
1999	17	1792	5	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	1817
2000	19	1812	6	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	1842
2001	24	1784	6	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	1819
2002	17	1630	9	3	3	n/a	n/a	0	1662
2003	17	1630	9	3	3	n/a	n/a	0	1662
2004	16	1591	6	1	2	n/a	n/a	0	1616
2005	9	1645	5	2	1	n/a	n/a	29	1691
2006	5	1739	6	4	1	n/a	n/a	27	1782
2007	5	1780	1	8	0	n/a	n/a	29	1823
2008	5	1778	5	9	2	n/a	n/a	33	1832
2009	3	1797	3	15	4	n/a	n/a	33	1855
2010	3	1740	1	12	16	4	6	0	1782
2011	2	1624	4	15	8	2	12	0	1667
2012	6	1479	4	17	3	0	17	0	1526
2013	8	1381	5	16	1	1	17	0	1429
2014	7	1274	6	10	1	1	21	0	1320
2015	3	1233	3	15	2	1	18	0	1275
2016	7	1188	4	11	2	3	15	0	1230
2017	4	1186	2	14	2	3	11	0	1222
2018	6	1149	3	17	3	2	9	0	1189
2019	6	1130	4	20	4	2	10	0	1176
2020	6	1206	8	18	0	0	11	0	1249
2021	6	1167	8	22	0	0	13	0	1216
2022	6	1231	5	32	1	0	16	0	1291
2023	4	1231	5	46	1	0	20	0	1307
2024	2	1134	4	46	1	1	19	0	1207

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 Southwest DeKalb High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1422	89.0	15.9	9
1991	1471	89.0	16.5	14.3
1992	1547	89.0	17.3	16
1993	1283	67.0	19.1	15.6
1994	1413	85.5	16.5	12.7
1995	1685	92.4	18.2	20.5
1996	1685	92.4	18.2	20.5
1997	1922	116.2	16.5	18.1
1998	1916	115.6	16.6	36.7
1999	1817	104.4	17.4	27.8
2000	1842	100.8	18.3	28.2
2001	1819	95.2	19.1	27
2002	1662	97.0	17.1	32.3
2003	1662	97.0	17.1	32.3
2004	1616	95.3	17.0	39.5
2005	1691	89.5	18.9	46.1
2006	1782	101.0	17.6	49.5
2007	1823	100.0	18.2	49.9
2008	1832	103.0	17.8	51.4
2009	1855	108.0	17.2	54.5
2010	1782	105.0	16.9	59.4
2011	1667	97.5	17.0	60.7
2012	1526	96.0	15.8	62.3
2013	1429	89.0	16.0	62.3
2014	1320	85.5	15.4	66.5
2015	1275	80.0	15.9	64.3
2016	1230	79.0	15.5	69.1
2017	1222	77.5	15.7	63.1
2018	1189	76.0	15.6	64
2019	1176	74.0	15.8	71.3
2020	1249	70.4	17.7	70.1
2021	1216	76.0	16.0	63.3
2022	1291	74.4	17.3	n/a
2023	1307	79.4	16.4	100
2024	1207	80.4	15.0	76

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 Southwest DeKalb High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1422	89.0	15.9	9
1991	1471	89.0	16.5	14.3
1992	1547	89.0	17.3	16
1993	1283	67.0	19.1	15.6
1994	1413	85.5	16.5	12.7
1995	1685	92.4	18.2	20.5
1996	1685	92.4	18.2	20.5
1997	1922	116.2	16.5	18.1
1998	1916	115.6	16.6	36.7
1999	1817	104.4	17.4	27.8
2000	1842	100.8	18.3	28.2
2001	1819	95.2	19.1	27
2002	1662	97.0	17.1	32.3
2003	1662	97.0	17.1	32.3
2004	1616	95.3	17.0	39.5
2005	1691	89.5	18.9	46.1
2006	1782	101.0	17.6	49.5
2007	1823	100.0	18.2	49.9
2008	1832	103.0	17.8	51.4
2009	1855	108.0	17.2	54.5
2010	1782	105.0	16.9	59.4
2011	1667	97.5	17.0	60.7
2012	1526	96.0	15.8	62.3
2013	1429	89.0	16.0	62.3
2014	1320	85.5	15.4	66.5
2015	1275	80.0	15.9	64.3
2016	1230	79.0	15.5	69.1
2017	1222	77.5	15.7	63.1
2018	1189	76.0	15.6	64
2019	1176	74.0	15.8	71.3
2020	1249	70.4	17.7	70.1
2021	1216	76.0	16.0	63.3
2022	1291	74.4	17.3	n/a
2023	1307	79.4	16.4	100
2024	1207	80.4	15.0	76

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 Southwest DeKalb High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$642 (6.3%)	$9,558 (93.7%)	$10,199
2018	$668 (6.2%)	$10,125 (93.8%)	$10,794
2019	$767 (6.6%)	$10,936 (93.4%)	$11,703

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southwest DeKalb High 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 262^nd of 438 High schools	Ranks 260^th of 442 High schools	1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Southwest DeKalb High School)	40.6	28	12.6%
End of Course American Literature and Composition (DeKalb County)	40.6	30.9	9.7%
End of Course American Literature and Composition (Georgia)	47.3	38.9	8.4%
End of Course Coordinate Algebra (Southwest DeKalb High School)	9.8	15.8	6%
End of Course Coordinate Algebra (DeKalb County)	26.6	21.9	4.7%
End of Course Coordinate Algebra (Georgia)	33.7	26.4	7.3%
End of Course Biology (Southwest DeKalb High School)	34.8	24.5	10.3%
End of Course Biology (DeKalb County)	38.6	32.6	6%
End of Course Biology (Georgia)	49	45.5	3.5%
End of Course United States History (Southwest DeKalb High School)	56.7	41.4	15.3%
End of Course United States History (DeKalb County)	46.5	27	19.5%
End of Course United States History (Georgia)	48.3	37.1	11.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1176	1307	11.1%
African American	1130	1231	8.9%
American Indian	4	1	75%
Asian	4	5	25%
Hispanic	20	46	130%
Pacific Islander	2	0	100%
White	6	4	33.3%
Two or More Races	10	20	100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	71.3%	100%	28.7%

Schools Near Southwest DeKalb High School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment American Literature and Composition (2024)	Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2024)	Milestones Assessment Biology (2024)	Milestones Assessment United States History (2024)	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)	Milestones Assessment Mathematics (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	Milestones Assessment American Literature and Composition End of Course	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment Biology End of Course	Milestones Assessment United States History End of Course	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Southwest DeKalb High School	Public	9-12	2863 Kelley Chapel Rd	Decatur	30034	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-1902	1,207	80	15.0	76.0%	2 (0.2%)	1,134 (94.0%)	46 (3.8%)	4 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	19 (1.6%)	34.9	271^st of 458 public high schools	40.8%		35	260^th of 442 public high schools	41.2%	11	31.2	26.5	31.1	38.0			$11,703	$767	$10,936
The Anchor School	Public, Charter	6-12	2460 Wesley Chapel Road	Decatur	30035	DeKalb County	State Specialty Schools II- The Anchor School	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(404) 909-4555	86	9	9.1		1 (1.2%)	81 (94.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.3%)								(n/a)					29.9	5.2
Columbia High School	Public	9-12	2106 Columbia Dr	Decatur	30032	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-0802	909	67	13.5	100.0%	5 (0.6%)	844 (92.8%)	45 (5.0%)	5 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.0%)	14.7	398^th of 458 public high schools	13.1%		18.3	357^th of 442 public high schools	19.2%	41	15.3	17.3	18.5	18.1			$12,785	$1,091	$11,695
DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center	Public	5-12	2946 Clifton Springs Rd	Decatur	30034	DeKalb County	Department of Juvenile Justice	No	No	No	Yes	(404) 244-2183	7	4	1.7		0 (0.0%)	7 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Towers High School	Public	9-12	3919 Brookcrest Cir	Decatur	30032	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-2202	769	50	15.3	100.0%	13 (1.7%)	636 (82.7%)	76 (9.9%)	23 (3.0%)	6 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	14 (1.8%)	11.5	414^th of 458 public high schools	9.6%		11.8	402^nd of 442 public high schools	9.0%	12	12.8	9.0	18.0	13.6			$12,581	$935	$11,646
Martin Luther King- Junior High School	Public	9-12	3991 Snapfinger Rd	Lithonia	30038	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-5402	1,431	87	16.4	81.0%	17 (1.2%)	1,315 (91.9%)	58 (4.1%)	3 (0.2%)	4 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	33 (2.3%)	13.6	403^rd of 458 public high schools	12.0%		15.9	375^th of 442 public high schools	15.2%	28	17.6	3.1	14.4	21.7			$10,539	$758	$9,781
Miller Grove High School	Public	9-12	2645 Dekalb Medical Pkwy	Lithonia	30058	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 875-1102	1,109	70	15.8	87.0%	2 (0.2%)	1,019 (91.9%)	60 (5.4%)	6 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (1.9%)	20.1	360^th of 458 public high schools	21.4%		22	330^th of 442 public high schools	25.3%	30	27.9	14.6	18.4	24.0			$11,240	$648	$10,592
Cedar Grove High School	Public	9-12	2360 River Rd	Ellenwood	30294	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-4002	1,132	74	15.4	86.2%	8 (0.7%)	1,027 (90.7%)	59 (5.2%)	5 (0.4%)	7 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (2.3%)	11.3	415^th of 458 public high schools	9.4%		16	374^th of 442 public high schools	15.4%	41	17.2	15.7	9.7	10.3			$11,139	$720	$10,419
DeKalb School of the Arts	Public	8-12	1192 Clarendon Ave	Avondale Estates	30002	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	No	(678) 676-2502	302	24	12.7	34.1%	91 (30.1%)	169 (56.0%)	16 (5.3%)	6 (2.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.3%)	83.7	40^th of 458 public high schools	91.3%		82.9	35^th of 442 public high schools	92.1%	5	86.3	49.2	65.6	82.5			$12,327	$636	$11,691
Redan High School	Public	9-12	5247 Redan Rd	Stone Mountain	30088	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 676-3602	1,005	61	16.6	83.0%	8 (0.8%)	879 (87.5%)	83 (8.3%)	15 (1.5%)	4 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (1.6%)	19.8	364^th of 458 public high schools	20.5%		18.4	355^th of 442 public high schools	19.7%	9	19.8	17.5	24.5	22.8			$11,418	$646	$10,773

Southwest DeKalb High School

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Rank History for Southwest DeKalb High School

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Enrollment information for Southwest DeKalb High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Southwest DeKalb High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Southwest DeKalb High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Southwest DeKalb High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Southwest DeKalb High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Southwest DeKalb High School