Decatur High School ranked #680 in Alabama in 2023, declining from #373 in 2012 and fluctuating in the bottom 50% range over recent years, indicating a downward trend in overall state ranking for this Union County NJ high school.
Math proficiency was 30% in 2023, approximately equal to the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency at 34% remained lower than the state average of 47%, and science proficiency at 38% was approximately equal to the state average of 38%, reflecting mixed academic outcomes in this New Jersey high school.
Enrollment was 1,026 students in grades 9–12 for the 2023 school year, with a 15:1 student–teacher ratio; minority enrollment comprised 68% of the student body, indicating significant demographic diversity for this Berkeley Heights public high school.
The graduation rate was 92% in 2023, higher than the state average of 88%, and steadily improved since 2013 when it was 76%, showing positive progress over time.
Free or reduced–price lunch eligibility increased from 33% in 2003 to 71% in 2023 (63% free lunch, 8% reduced price), highlighting rising socioeconomic needs among students at this Decatur City public school.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 915 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 92% (Top 30% in AL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 30% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 34% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 38% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Decatur High School serves the northeast part of Decatur, AL, encompassing an area of approximately 39.3 square miles. Families within this zone can typically reach the school in about 10 to 12 minutes, with the furthest edge located around 8.7 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Decatur High School's student population of 915 students has declined by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 66 teachers has grown by 11% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
915 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
66 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1950
School Calendar
School Motto
The mission of Decatur City Schools is to promote academic excellence in a unique and rigorous learning environment that values and celebrates diversity to prepare students for success in a global society.
School Rankings
Decatur High 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 Decatur High School is 0.69, 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
#680 out of 1275 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
30%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
17:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
2%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 30-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
39%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Black
25%
31%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
White
31%
50%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
4%
4%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
92%
90%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)28.7%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
63%
53%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
Showing 2014–2024. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Black, Red
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- Decatur High School, located in Decatur, Alabama under the Decatur City Schools, across Prospect Dr. from Delano Park, is ranked as one of the top academic schools in the state, as well as the nation, with strong Advanced Placement programs and high ACT & SAT test scores that exceed both State and National averages.
- Decatur High, along with western Decatur's Austin High School, are the only International Baccalaureate schools north of Birmingham, Alabama.
- Athletics: Decatur High is well represented each year in the State Playoffs, and has won many state championships in Basketball, Football, Golf, and Cross Country. Decatur's athletic teams consistently compete with those of schools two, three, and four times its own size, each year ranking among the top teams in the state. Decatur High's football, and soccer programs play at the 8,000 seat Ogle Stadium on the southern end of the campus.
- Decatur's football program continues to dominate Northern Alabama's top football teams, each year defeating even the largest high school in the state, Bob Jones High School.
- Decatur has defeated cross-town rival Austin High School, a school twice the size of DHS, many times, with the leading number of wins in the rivalry.
- Due to the AHSAA Class Re-Alignments, Decatur has been moved to class 5A. The drop in class is not due to a shrinking student population, or due to a drop in athletic ability like a large portion of people believe; in reality Decatur High is continuing to grow in student population, and because of the new rules of the AHSAA Class Alignments, the Decatur High Developmental Program was not counted as part of the regular student population.
- Fine arts: The Decatur High School's Chorus and Concert Bands have consistently received superior ratings in both District and State competitions.
- Decatur High has the longest string of District Competition Superior Ratings in Alabama, dating back to the competition's formation in 1947.
- Decatur High also continues to lead in number of Alabama Bandmasters State Competition Superior Ratings at 57, more than any other high school in state history.
- The graduating class of 2006 was awarded more than 5 million dollars in scholarships out of the 8 million dollars offered to students in the Decatur City Schools.
- 99% of the school's seniors passed the Alabama High School Graduation Exam in 2005.
- Decatur high has a graduation rate of 98%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decatur High School's ranking?
Decatur High School is ranked #680 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Decatur High School often compared to?
Decatur High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Austin High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
30% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 34% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Decatur High School?
The graduation rate of Decatur High School is 92%, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 90%.
How many students attend Decatur High School?
915 students attend Decatur High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
39% of Decatur High School students are Hispanic, 31% of students are White, 25% of students are Black, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Decatur High School?
Decatur High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Decatur High School offer ?
Decatur High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Decatur High School part of?
Decatur High School is part of Decatur City School District.
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