Decherd Elementary, Decherd TN - Test Scores & Data

Original Research by School Decision on Decherd Elementary

Decherd Elementary is a regular public elementary school in the small town of Decherd, Tennessee, serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits on the site of the former Terrill College, a detail that ties the school into the town’s railroad-era origins. The school is part of Franklin County Schools, the only district in the county, which means comparison data with neighboring districts is not available here.

State test results for the most recent school year show that the share of students scoring at proficient or above in math, English language arts, and science fell substantially below typical statewide benchmarks. In math, just under a fifth of tested students reached the proficient level; in ELA, roughly a fifth did; in science, a similar share. Social studies results from several years earlier, the last time that subject was tested under this assessment, were in a comparable range. Participation rates were high. For a parent considering the school, these figures warrant a closer conversation with the school about academic support, intervention programs, and what steps are being taken to raise achievement.

The student body of roughly seven grade levels is majority white, with a noticeable Hispanic enrollment and smaller shares of Black and multiracial students. Data on economic disadvantage and special education status were not available in the profile, so it is not possible to characterize the level of need along those lines from this source.

Decherd itself is a small town of stable population, essentially flat over the last decade. Its economy is anchored by a large Nissan powertrain assembly plant that employs a sizable workforce; other major employers include Kroger and a millworks company. The town has two public parks with walking trails and playgrounds, but street life is minimal and the built environment is car-oriented. Housing values in the area are modestly below the state median and well below the national median, reflecting the area’s affordable character. Mortgage rates and rents relative to income suggest homeownership is attainable for many local households, though no rental-specific index was provided for this exact zip.

Because this is an elementary school, there are no graduation rate data, nor are there program offerings such as advanced coursework or career pathways. The school environment data lacked information on discipline, staffing, and chronic absenteeism, so those dimensions cannot be assessed here. The district brief turned up no major recent changes or initiatives that would affect day-to-day operations.

Decherd Elementary serves its community as the only elementary school in this part of town, feeding into North Middle School. For families who value a small-town setting, proximity to the Nissan plant and other local employers, and an affordable housing market, this school fits that context. The academic numbers, however, are a soft spot that would merit direct inquiry with the school about how they are addressing student learning and what supports are available.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grades 3-818%

School 18% · District 32% · ▼ 14 pts below district

▼ 21 pts below state median · ▼ 13 pts below county median

English language arts

Grades 3-822%

School 22% · District 30% · ▼ 8 pts below district

▼ 14 pts below state median · ▼ 12 pts below county median

Science

Grades 3-821%

School 21% · District 37% · ▼ 17 pts below district

▼ 22 pts below state median · ▼ 18 pts below county median

Social studies

Grades 3-823%

School 23% · District 34% · ▼ 11 pts below district

▼ 17 pts below state median · ▼ 11 pts below county median

This schoolFranklin County, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 3Lower-income18%Higher-income14%4 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income29%Higher-income38%9 pp gap

Grade 5Lower-income17%Higher-income20%3 pp gap

Grades 3-8Lower-income21%Higher-income23%2 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 3Lower-income12%Higher-income16%4 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income24%Higher-income33%10 pp gap

Grade 5Lower-income6%Higher-income13%7 pp gap

Grades 3-8Lower-income14%Higher-income20%6 pp gap