The top reported proficiency rate is 17% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Cedar Grove Middle School
Cedar Grove Middle School serves all three middle grades—sixth through eighth—in a walkable, compact city just east of Atlanta. The school draws from Decatur, a small, progressive town of bungalows and tree-lined streets organized around a historic courthouse square, where civic life is concentrated downtown rather than spread across separate campuses. The MARTA station lies beneath the square; the Decatur Library is steps away; and the school sits within the bounds of a place where most amenities are reachable on foot.
The student body is nearly entirely Black, with a small Hispanic population and minimal representation of other groups. All students at Cedar Grove qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of economic need that applies school-wide. The school has roughly equal enrollment across its three grade levels, with a mid-sized population for a middle school in its locale.
State assessment results in 2024-25 show proficiency rates well below typical performance. In English language arts across all grades, about one in six students met state proficiency standards. In math, just over one in five students achieved proficiency; sixth grade data was not available, but seventh grade showed no students proficient, while eighth grade reached roughly one in four. Science proficiency for eighth grade stood at about one in seven students. Social studies proficiency—tested only at eighth grade—was lower still, at roughly one in ten students. Positioned against other districts in DeKalb County, Cedar Grove's overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint of that county comparison set.
The school is a regular public school operated by DeKalb County School District, not a charter or magnet program. It has no specialized academic pathway, dual-credit offerings, or distinctive program designation documented in available data. Data on special education enrollment, English learner enrollment, school discipline, attendance, and course-level specifics were not available, so parents may want to connect directly with the school to understand those details and any support systems in place.
The housing market in the 30034 zip code where the school sits reflects Decatur's overall character: home values have declined modestly year-over-year, while rent has risen slightly and remains stable relative to income. The area is among the more affordable neighborhoods in metro Atlanta, though property tax rates in DeKalb remain high by Georgia standards. Decatur itself is on a sustained infill and development trajectory, with new affordable housing projects underway and major redevelopments planned just beyond city limits.
The broader district context matters for families considering this school. DeKalb is in the midst of a multi-year Student Assignment Project expected to reshape attendance boundaries and possibly close or consolidate dozens of schools by late 2026. Any family choosing Cedar Grove should be aware that school assignments, bus routes, and the school's own operational status could change as that process unfolds. Additionally, DeKalb voters recently approved a major capital plan funding new schools, building conversions to academies, and facility rebuilds across the district. These changes will reshape the landscape of school offerings and facilities over the next several years.
Cedar Grove's academic results are a significant consideration. With proficiency rates substantially below state norms across all tested subjects, the school is not currently delivering grade-level mastery for most of its students. A parent evaluating this school should ask the administration directly about intervention strategies, additional support, and any recent changes or initiatives aimed at improving outcomes. Whether these results reflect long-term patterns or a transitional year is also worth clarifying. The school's student composition and location in a walkable, civically engaged neighborhood are real assets; the academic performance and the fluid state of the district itself are realities families will weigh in their own decision-making.
See more original research from School Decision →