Skip to Main Content
© Mapbox / © OpenStreetMap
Public School0
Dekalb County Schools

Southwest DeKalb High School

  • C+
    Overall Grade
  • Public
  • 9-12
  • Decatur, GA
  • 413 reviews
    C+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      C+
    2. Diversity
      C+
    3. Teachers
      C+
    4. College Prep
      C
    5. Clubs & Activities
      A-
    6. Health & Safety
      C
    7. Administration
      C-
    8. Sports
      A
    9. Food
      C-
    10. Resources & Facilities
      C+
    View Full Report Card
    Southwest DeKalb High School is a public school located in Decatur, GA. It has 1,189 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. According to state test scores, 22% of students are at least proficient in math and 32% in reading.
    dekalb.k12.ga.us
    (678) 874-1902
    2863 Kelley Chapel Rd
    Decatur, GA 30034
    Work Here? Claim Your School

    Southwest DeKalb High School Rankings

    Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

    Academics

    Percent Proficient - Reading
    32%
    Percent Proficient - Math
    22%
    Average Graduation Rate
    74%
    Average SAT
    1020
    276 responses
    Average ACT
    21
    143 responses
    AP Enrollment
    27%
    Niche College Admissions Calculator
    Popular Colleges

    Niche users from this school are most interested in the following colleges.

    Do You Work at Southwest DeKalb High School? Claim Your School Today!
    Claim your free account to keep your school's data up-to-date and get insights on user activity for your profile.
    Living in the Area
    A
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Cost of Living
      B-
    2. Good for Families
      A
    3. Housing
      B-
    Median Household Income
    $59,280
    National
    $55,322
    Median Rent
    $1,116
    National
    $949
    Median Home Value
    $192,400
    National
    $184,700

    Culture & Safety

    Health & Safety
    C
    Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
    Poll
    74%
    of students agree that they feel safe at their school.39 responses
    Poll
    74%
    of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.39 responses
    Poll
    What are your favorite school events or traditions?
    Based on 153 responses
    Report
    • I enjoy the talent, fashion and step shows
      18%
    • Pep Rally
      16%
    • Football and basketball games
      14%
    • I always look forward to spirit week
      13%
    • The Black History program is always very good
      12%
    • Senior walk
      7%
    • I love the volleyball games and gymnastics meets
      7%

    Students

    Diversity
    C+
    Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
    Students
    1,189
    Free or Reduced Lunch
    64%
    88%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.43 responses
    84%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.43 responses
    91%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.43 responses

    Teachers

    Student-Teacher Ratio
    16:1
    National
    17:1
    Average Teacher Salary
    $51,977
    Teachers in First/Second Year
    13.3%
    72%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.65 responses
    65%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.65 responses
    72%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.65 responses

    Clubs & Activities

    Clubs & Activities
    A-
    Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
    Girls Athletic Participation
    Low
    Boys Athletic Participation
    Low
    Expenses Per Student
    $10,399/ year
    National
    $12,239
    89%
    of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.71 responses
    35%
    of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.71 responses
    69%
    of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.71 responses
    Schools like Southwest DeKalb High School
    More

    Southwest DeKalb High School Reviews

    413 reviews
    All Categories
    I love SWD. We have the very BEST marching band in the land! Oue football team was undefeated this year. We also have great parent participation. The teachers are good, tough, and dedicated (especially the magnet teachers). We have good, fun organizations offered after school.
    Start Your Review of Southwest DeKalb High School
    Rate It!
    What I like about Southwest DeKalb High School is the school spirit that it obtains and the push for academic achievement that is held among all students. Everyone is given the opportunity to succeed and graduate on time, however it's up to you to take hold of such beneficial opportunities. I like that the counselors within the building are always willing to help students and support them by making sure they're on task. I also admire the teachers within the building who take the time to educate the students with meaningful subjects; specifically the AP teachers. The clubs provided at the school are never taken for granted and give many students the chance to earn community service experiences. The sports teams have gained many region championship awards, and our band is known to be the best in the region; which is simply a few things I also admire about my school. I wouldn’t change anything about my school because I love it so much.
    Southwest Dekalb and it's feeder schools have a tight-knit relationship based on academic excellence and a smooth matriculation through the cluster. My experience with Southwest Dekalb began a year and a half before my actual freshman year through a program that allowed the middle school band members to march with S.W.D. at the football games. That moment instilled a sense of pride for the school that I attended. It was not just me, that "Panther Pride," was everywhere; from freshmen to seniors, academics to athletics, and even the staff.