Chestnut Grove Elementary School in Decatur, AL ranked #654 in the state in 2023, declining from a high of #196 in 2012 and fluctuating in the bottom 50% of Alabama schools overall during recent years.
Math proficiency ranged from 25% to 29% in 2023, remaining lower than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 35% to 39%, also lower than the state average of 47%; science proficiency was 20% to 29%, lower than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment slightly decreased to 435 students in 2023, with 60% minority enrollment, reflecting a diverse student body including 13 Asian/Pacific Islander, 93 Hispanic, 124 Black, and 175 White students.
The school served grades Pre–K through 5 with a student–teacher ratio of 14:1 and provided free or reduced–price lunch eligibility to nearly 68% of students, indicating a high level of economic need.
Chestnut Grove Elementary outperformed the state average in graduation rates recently, with 92% in 2023 compared to the state rate of 88%, despite challenges in standardized test proficiency scores.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 436 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 65%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in AL
- Math Proficiency: 25-29% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-29% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Chestnut Grove Elementary School serves the southwest part of Decatur, AL, covering an area of approximately 10.4 square miles. Most families live within a 5-10 minute drive, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 4.5 miles from the school.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Chestnut Grove Elementary School's student population of 436 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 33 teachers has grown by 13% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
436 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
33 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
School Calendar
School Rankings
Chestnut Grove Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Chestnut Grove Elementary School is 0.74, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#654 out of 1275 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25-29%
30%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
17:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
3%
2%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
26%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Black
27%
31%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
White
35%
50%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
8%
4%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)16.1%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
58%
53%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
5%
Showing 2013–2024. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Unspecified
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chestnut Grove Elementary School's ranking?
Chestnut Grove Elementary School is ranked #654 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Chestnut Grove Elementary School often compared to?
Chestnut Grove Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Frances Nungester Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
25-29% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 35-39% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Chestnut Grove Elementary School?
436 students attend Chestnut Grove Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
35% of Chestnut Grove Elementary School students are White, 27% of students are Black, 26% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Chestnut Grove Elementary School?
Chestnut Grove Elementary School has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Chestnut Grove Elementary School offer ?
Chestnut Grove Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Chestnut Grove Elementary School part of?
Chestnut Grove Elementary School is part of Decatur City School District.
School Reviews
Review Chestnut Grove Elementary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
