Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School, a Decatur City public New Jersey high school, ranked #44 in Alabama in 2023, improving from #68 in 2021 and #87 in 2019, reflecting a positive upward trend in overall state ranking.
Math proficiency was 67% in 2023, higher than the Alabama state average of 30%, showing consistent strong performance since 2012 despite a drop from 95% proficiency that year.
Reading proficiency reached 77% in 2022, higher than the state average of 47%, with sustained improvement from 55% in 2014; science proficiency ranged 60–64% in 2022, also higher than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment declined slightly from 327 students in 2021 to 303 in 2023, with 50% eligible for free lunch in 2023, reflecting an increase in socioeconomic need compared to 34% in 2022; minority enrollment was 53%.
The school served grades 3–5 with 290 students and a student–teacher ratio of 18:1 in recent years, with an average class size of 15, meeting Title I eligibility and participating fully in the National School Lunch Program.
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 3-5
- Enrollment: 297 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 52%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5% in AL
- Math Proficiency: 67% (Top 5%)
- Reading Proficiency: 77% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 10%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Diversity
Community Size
School Overview
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School's student population of 297 students has declined by 9% over five school years.
The teacher population of 17 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 3-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
297 students
Total Classroom Teachers
17 teachers
Year Founded
1905
School Calendar
Average Class Size
15 students
School Rankings
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School ranks within the top 5% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School is 0.66, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#44 out of 1275 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
67%
30%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
77%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
17%
12%
Black
29%
31%
White
48%
50%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
46%
53%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School's ranking?
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School is ranked #44 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School often compared to?
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Benjamin Davis Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
67% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 77% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
How many students attend Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School?
297 students attend Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
48% of Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School students are White, 29% of students are Black, 17% of students are Hispanic, and 6% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School?
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School has a student ration of 17:1, which is equal to the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School offer ?
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School offers enrollment in grades 3-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School part of?
Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School is part of Decatur City School District.
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