For the 2026 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 10,565 students in Decatur, AL (there are 4 private schools, serving 644 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in Decatur, AL are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Decatur, AL are Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School, Eastwood Elementary School and Priceville Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Decatur, AL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Alabama public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Decatur have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Alabama public schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Alabama public school average of 50% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Decatur, AL (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
801 Wilson St Nw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3056
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3056
Gr: 3-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #22.
Eastwood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1802 26th Ave Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3043
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3043
Gr: PK-5 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Priceville Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
438 Cave Springs Road
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 341-9202
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 341-9202
Gr: PK-4 | 674 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Walter Jackson Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1950 Park St Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3031
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3031
Gr: PK-5 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Frances Nungester Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
726 Tammy St Sw
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3079
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3079
Gr: PK-5 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Julian Harris Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1922 Mcauliffe Dr Sw
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3096
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3096
Gr: PK-5 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #77.
Priceville Junior High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
311 Highway 67 South
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 355-5104
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 355-5104
Gr: 5-8 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Decatur High Developmental
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
910 Somerville Road Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3008
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3008
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #99.
Priceville High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2650 N Bethel Rd
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 353-1950
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 353-1950
Gr: 9-12 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Woodmeade Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1400 19th Ave Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3023
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3023
Gr: PK-5 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1111.
Austin Junior High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1625 Danville Road Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3060
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3060
Gr: 8-9 | 664 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1212.
Chestnut Grove Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3205 Cedarhurst Dr Sw
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3092
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-3092
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1313.
Decatur High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
910 Somerville Road
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3011
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3011
Gr: 9-12 | 915 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1414.
Decatur Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1011 Prospect Drive Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3035
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3035
Gr: 6-8 | 818 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Austin Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2715 Danville Rd Sw
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-4622
Decatur, AL 35603
(256) 552-4622
Gr: 6-7 | 727 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Bankscaddell Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
211 Gordon Dr Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3040
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3040
Gr: PK-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1717.
Austin High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3004 Modaus Road
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3060
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3060
Gr: 9-12 | 999 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Austinville Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2320 Clara Ave Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3050
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3050
Gr: PK-5 | 463 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Oak Park Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1218 16th Ave Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3033
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3033
Gr: PK-5 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2020.
West Decatur Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
708 Memorial Dr Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3027
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3027
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
Benjamin Davis Elementary School
Magnet School
417 Monroe Dr Nw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3025
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3025
Gr: PK-2 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
1229 Westmead Street Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 560-6821
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 560-6821
Gr: 9-12 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: n/an/a
Career Technical Center
Vocational School
1625 Danville Road Sw
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3060
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 552-3060
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Long Term Case
Alternative School
406 2nd Ave Se
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 308-2308
Decatur, AL 35601
(256) 308-2308
Gr: K-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Decatur, AL?
The top-ranked public schools in Decatur, AL include Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School, Eastwood Elementary School and Priceville Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Decatur?
24 public schools are located in Decatur.
What percentage of students in Decatur go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Decatur are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Decatur?
Decatur public schools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Alabama public schools average of 50% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Decatur are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Decatur include: Austin High School vs. Decatur High School, Decatur High School vs. Austin High School, Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School vs. Benjamin Davis Elementary School
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