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GreatSchools Rating

Decatur Middle School

Public | 7-8 | 983 students

We are known as a "Schools to Watch" school and a TAP school.
 
 
 

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Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

Teacher quality

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Parent involvement

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5 reviews of this school


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Posted March 3, 2012

Decatur Middle School is one of the top 3 schools to watch for excellence in 2010 but because of current ISTEP guidelines our school is on probation in addition to 120+ schools. Can't wrap my head around this sanario. My child is in gold academy and is an honor student. She has the priviledge of the best teachers in the school. Kudos to her 7th grade Global Studies Teacher for thinking outside the box and her English teachers for challenging her.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 20, 2011

sorry excuse for a school...I"ve had issue after issue with the Middle School and never any issues with any other school in the district.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 30, 2009

Still have the same lousy school board... No change!!! still a lousy school...Weak teachers, non-concern principal can someone do something?
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 7, 2005

I think it is a horrible school system with a lousy school board. If a child isn't able to ride his/her scheduled bus because of threats and tourment being made by other peers and the bus driver does nothing there is a problem. I hated this school when I attened it years ago, I hated it when I worked there as well, (only hoping I could help make a change) but it is evident some things never change and decatur township schools is one of them. Time for a change for the better, a new school board.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted April 3, 2004

I currently attend decatur middle school I like the school but its not the best school because they don't help kids that have peer pressure problems! Brittany Bailey
—Submitted by BRittany BAiley, a student


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 75% in 2012.

426 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
64%
Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.

428 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
74%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
65%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 71% in 2012.

427 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
59%

2011

 
 
58%

2010

 
 
49%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 73% in 2012.

447 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
68%
Math

The state average for Math was 80% in 2012.

447 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
64%

2010

 
 
60%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 70% in 2012.

109 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
98%

2010

 
 
98%
Scale: % passing

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Indiana used the End-of-Course (ECA) assessment to test students in middle and high school in Algebra I, Biology I, and English 10. The ECA is a criterion-referenced assessment developed specifically for students completing their instruction in Algebra I, Biology I, or English 10. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

  • In 2011-2012, this school received a grade of "F".
  • In 2010-2011, this school received a grade of "F".
  • In 2009-2010, this school received a grade of "F".

About the tests


Indiana uses the A through F School Grading System to assess the overall performance of a school. For the 2011-2012 school year, schools were graded based on performance and participation levels in state standardized tests and student growth using the Indiana Growth Model. In addition, high schools were graded on four-year (on-time) graduation rates and college and career readiness indicators including Advanced Placment exam results and industry certification exam results.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

GreatSchools Rating

What makes up this rating?

Academic rating
3 / 10
Climate rating
Not available

This school's GreatSchools Rating is based on academics (90%) and climate (10%). The academic rating measures students' test scores, academic growth and college readiness. The climate rating measures safety, cleanliness, parent involvement and more.

Learn more about our methodology

What is the new GreatSchools Rating?

Rating legend
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average
Average
Above
average

Our rating (from 1 to 10) reflects a school's overall performance. The higher the rating, the more likely the school will prepare your child for the future, so choose an above-average school (8-10) if possible. For average schools (4-7), do careful research and look for evidence that the school has high-quality programs. For below-average schools (1-3), take caution; a low-performing school may not provide the instruction or environment your child needs to learn, and you may need to supplement classroom lessons at home.

Academic rating

The academic rating is made up of equally-weighted parts: students' test scores, their academic growth (for elementary and middle schools) and their readiness for college (for high schools). The graphs below compare this school's results in each area to other schools in the city and state. Growth and college readiness ratings are coming soon, pending publication of 2012 data.
Overall academic rating

3

Below average

Test score rating 2012*
This school
City
State
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Learn more about this school's test scores »

Student growth rating 2012**
This school
City
State
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
This school
Reading growth
Below average
Math growth
Below average

*Test scores are based on 2012 ISTEP and ECA results from the state of Indiana.

**The academic growth rating measures how schools affect student test score improvement over time in reading and math. Data is from the 2012 school year and is provided by the Indiana Department of Education.

Climate ratings

Climate rating for this school is not yet available.

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 79% 73%
Black 10% 12%
Hispanic 7% 8%
Multiracial 4% 4%
American Indian 0% 0%
Asian 0% 2%
Native Hawaiin or Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 62%N/A47%
Special education 12%N/A15%
English learners 3%N/A5%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 18N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher resources

Special staff resources available to students Assistant principal(s)
Art teacher(s)
College counselor(s)
Computer specialist(s)
ELL/ESL Coordinator
Gifted specialist(s)
Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
Librarian/media specialist(s)
Math specialist(s)
Music teacher(s)
PE instructor(s)
Nurse(s)
Poetry/Creative writing teacher(s)
Reading specialist(s)
Robotics/Technology specialist(s)
Security personnel
School psychologist
School social worker/counselors(s)
Special education coordinator
Speech and language therapist(s)
Teacher aid/assistant teacher
Tutor(s)
Foreign languages spoken by school staff None
Read more about programs at this school
Source: Manually entered by a school official.

Awards

Community service awards received in the past 3 years
  • Schools to Watch (2010)
  • Fuel Up to Play 60 (2010)

Special education / special needs

Level of special education programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular special education needs
Extra learning resources offered
  • Differentiated learning programs
Staff resources available to students
  • Special education coordinator
  • Speech and language therapist(s)

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

Staff resources available to students
  • Computer specialist(s)
  • Math specialist(s)
  • Robotics/Technology specialist(s)
School facilities
  • Access to farm or natural area
  • Computer lab
  • Garden/Greenhouse
  • Outdoor learning lab
  • Science lab
Clubs
  • Robotics club
  • Science club

Arts & music

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
  • Poetry/Creative writing teacher(s)
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Music room
Visual arts
  • Drawing / sketching
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Instrumental music lessons
  • Jazz band
  • Vocal lessons / coaching
Performing and written arts
  • Creative writing
Media arts
  • Computer animation
  • Graphics
  • Technical design and production
  • Video / Film production
Clubs
  • Yearbook

Language learning

Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular ESL/ELL needs
Languages supported by ESL/ELL programs
  • Other
  • Spanish
Staff resources available to students
  • ELL/ESL Coordinator
  • Speech and language therapist(s)

Health & athletics

Staff resources available to students
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
  • Nurse(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
  • School psychologist
School facilities
  • Access to farm or natural area
  • Access to sports fields
  • Garden/Greenhouse
  • Gym
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")

Gifted & talented

Instructional and/or curriculum models used
  • Gifted / high performing
Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
Staff resources available to students
  • Gifted specialist(s)
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 7:10 a.m.
School end time
  • 2:50 p.m.
Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • After school
School Leader's name
  • Mr. Mark Anderson
Best ways for parents to contact the school
  • Phone
Gender
  • Coed
Is there an application process?
  • No
Fax number
  • (317) 856-2163

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Core knowledge
  • Direct instruction
  • Gifted / high performing
  • Project-based
  • Standards-based
  • TAP
Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered

Don't understand these terms?
  • No
Level of special education programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular special education needs
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • Moderate - the school consistently offers a full program for particular ESL/ELL needs
Languages supported by ESL/ELL programs
  • Other
  • Spanish

Resources

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Assistant principal(s)
  • College counselor(s)
  • Computer specialist(s)
  • ELL/ESL Coordinator
  • Gifted specialist(s)
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
  • Librarian/media specialist(s)
  • Math specialist(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
  • Nurse(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
  • Poetry/Creative writing teacher(s)
  • Reading specialist(s)
  • Robotics/Technology specialist(s)
  • School psychologist
  • School social worker/counselors(s)
  • Security personnel
  • Special education coordinator
  • Speech and language therapist(s)
  • Teacher aid/assistant teacher
  • Tutor(s)
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • None
Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
  • Career/college counseling
  • Counseling
  • Differentiated learning programs
  • Remediation
  • Tutoring
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • Buses/vans for students only
School facilities
  • Access to farm or natural area
  • Access to sports fields
  • Art room
  • Audiovisual aids
  • Cafeteria
  • Computer lab
  • Garden/Greenhouse
  • Gym
  • Internet access
  • Learning lab
  • Library
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")
  • Music room
  • Outdoor learning lab
  • Parent center
  • Science lab
Partnerships with local resources and organizations
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
Girls sports
  • Basketball
  • Cheerleading
  • Cross country
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Drawing / sketching
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Instrumental music lessons
  • Jazz band
  • Vocal lessons / coaching
Performing arts
  • Creative writing
Media arts
  • Computer animation
  • Graphics
  • Technical design and production
  • Video / Film production

Student clubs

Clubs (distinct from courses)
  • Book/reading club
  • Community service
  • Robotics club
  • Science club
  • Yearbook
School leaders can update this information here.

Upcoming Events

No upcoming events found for this school
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School culture

Dress Code
  • Dress code
Bullying policy
  • This school has a bullying and/or cyber bullying policy in place.
Parent involvement
  • Attend parent nights
  • Chaperone school trips
  • Coach sports teams or extracurricular activities
  • Join PTO/PTA
  • Organize fundraising events (school auction, bake sales, etc.)
  • Serve on school improvement team or governance council
School colors
  • Blue and Gold
School mascot
  • Hawk
More from this school
  • Academics are very important at DMS. We alos believe in developing the whole child through our Schools to Watch program and TAP model.
School leaders can update this information here.

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Middle school


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How to apply

Does this school have an application or enrollment process?
 

No

Planning Ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
Decatur Central High School
Decatur Discovery Academy
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

5108 S High School Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46221
Website: Click here
Phone: (317) 856-5274

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