- Enrollment
- 999
- Students per teacher
- 14.9:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Decatur, AL
West Decatur Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for West Decatur Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 42/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 010117000435
👥 S:T ratio 14
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 19
📋 Attendance 66
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
West Decatur Elementary School earns 42/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 92% of Alabama schools.
- #6 of 11
- schools in Decatur · Resource Index
- 42
- Resource Index · Typical
- 21.4:1
- large classes for Alabama
- 86.7%
- free-lunch eligible
West Decatur Elementary School has class sizes larger than 92% of Alabama schools. Computed live against every Alabama school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, West Decatur Elementary School ranks #6 of 11 schools in Decatur, AL.
School address
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+17 students YoY
West Decatur Elementary School held near 363 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+17 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 19.3 → 21.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+17 students YoY 010117000435 · Decatur, AL Other · SMALL · TRAD
407 enr · 21.4:1 · 86.7% lunch · RII 42
Nearest enrollment peer: Austin High School (999 students)
West Decatur Elementary School held near 363 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+17 headcount). Teacher FTE added 19.3 → 21.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Alabama schools → · Find another →
West Decatur Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Austin High Sc
Austin High School
999 students
- Decatur High S
Decatur High School
915 students
- Decatur Middle
Decatur Middle School
818 students
- Austin Middle
Austin Middle School
727 students
- Austin Junior
Austin Junior High School
664 students
- This school
West Decatur Elementary School
407 students
What this shows West Decatur Elementary School reports 407 students on the CCD universe file.
How West Decatur Elementary School compares
West Decatur Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Alabama and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Alabama | Alabama avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 21.4:1 | ▲ 21% | 17.7:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 86.7% | ▲ 47% | 58.8% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 407 | top 62% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
21.4:1
Leaner classes than 12% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
407
Bigger than 48% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
86.7%
free-lunch eligible
- 47% above the Alabama average of 58.8%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
21.4:1
students per teacher
- 21% above state mean
Top 92% in Alabama - lower ratio than 8% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
13.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 10-15% range, above the pre-pandemic national baseline but within the broader post-pandemic picture.
Funding equity
$14,832
per pupil, district-wide
- above Alabama avg of $13,538
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 407 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
4
in-school suspensions + 1 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 1.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 67.8%
African American 18.7%
White 10.1%
Two or More 2.9%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.5%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 67.8% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 49.4/100
Simpson diversity index - at 49.4, West Decatur Elementary School is more mixed than the Alabama school average of 42.5.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Decatur City reports $14,832 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How West Decatur Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Decatur High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Decatur Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Austin Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Austin Junior High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to West Decatur Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 915
- Students per teacher
- 15:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
- Enrollment
- 818
- Students per teacher
- 15.1:1
- Resource Index
- 40/100
- Enrollment
- 727
- Students per teacher
- 15.5:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
- Enrollment
- 664
- Students per teacher
- 14.4:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
Similar other schools in Decatur
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Austin Junior High School
Standard public school
664 students 14.4:1 students per teacher
Oak Park Elementary School
Standard public school
481 students 16:1 students per teacher
Bankscaddell Elementary School
Standard public school
477 students 19.9:1 students per teacher
Austinville Elementary School
Standard public school
463 students 18.5:1 students per teacher
Chestnut Grove Elementary School
Standard public school
436 students 16.8:1 students per teacher
Frances Nungester Elementary School
Standard public school
428 students 17.8:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~407 students)
Frequently asked questions about West Decatur Elementary School
How many students attend West Decatur Elementary School?
West Decatur Elementary School has 407 students enrolled. It is a public school in Decatur, AL. CCD year-over-year: 346 (2022-23) → 363 (2023-24), nearly flat (+17).
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Decatur Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Decatur Elementary School is 21.4:1, which is 21% higher than the Alabama average of 17.7:1 and 36% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at West Decatur Elementary School?
86.7% of students at West Decatur Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Alabama average of 58.8%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of West Decatur Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at West Decatur Elementary School is Hispanic or Latino at 67.8% of enrollment, in Decatur, AL.
What is the Resource Investment Index for West Decatur Elementary School?
West Decatur Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 42/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does West Decatur Elementary School rank among schools in Decatur?
By Resource Investment Index, West Decatur Elementary School ranks #6 of 11 schools in Decatur, AL. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Decatur on the city page.
What other schools are in Decatur City?
Besides West Decatur Elementary School, Decatur City also operates Austin High School (999 students), Decatur High School (915 students), and Decatur Middle School (818 students). See the Decatur City district page for the complete list.