For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public schools serving 12,254 students in Dekalb County, AL (there are 2 private schools, serving 510 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Dekalb County, AL are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dekalb County, AL are Williams Avenue Elementary School, Plainview School and Little Ridge Intermediate School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dekalb County, AL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Alabama public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Dekalb County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Alabama public schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Alabama public school average of 50% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Dekalb County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Williams Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 54% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1700 Williams Ave Ne
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-0626
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-0626
Gr: PK | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #22.
Plainview School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
76 Chavies Rd
Rainsville, AL 35986
(256) 638-3510
Rainsville, AL 35986
(256) 638-3510
Gr: PK-12 | 1,167 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #33.
Little Ridge Intermediate School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
201 45th St Ne
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-0535
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-0535
Gr: 3-5 | 792 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #44.
Fort Payne Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4910 Martin Ave Ne
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-7501
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-7501
Gr: 6-8 | 741 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #55.
Fyffe High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
153 Church St
Fyffe, AL 35971
(256) 623-2116
Fyffe, AL 35971
(256) 623-2116
Gr: PK-12 | 954 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #66.
Henagar Junior High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
85 Woodview Rd
Henagar, AL 35978
(256) 657-4483
Henagar, AL 35978
(256) 657-4483
Gr: PK-8 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #77.
Ider School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1064 Crabapple Ln
Ider, AL 35981
(256) 632-2302
Ider, AL 35981
(256) 632-2302
Gr: PK-12 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #88.
Sylvania School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
133 2nd Street N
Sylvania, AL 35988
(256) 638-2030
Sylvania, AL 35988
(256) 638-2030
Gr: PK-12 | 915 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #99.
Geraldine School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
13011 Highway 227
Geraldine, AL 35974
(256) 659-2142
Geraldine, AL 35974
(256) 659-2142
Gr: PK-12 | 1,211 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1010.
Crossville Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
15755 Al Hwy 68
Crossville, AL 35962
(256) 925-0300
Crossville, AL 35962
(256) 925-0300
Gr: K-3 | 658 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Ruhuma Junior High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3371 County Road 81
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-3377
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-3377
Gr: PK-8 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Valley Head High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
235 1st Ave
Valley Head, AL 35989
(256) 635-6228
Valley Head, AL 35989
(256) 635-6228
Gr: PK-12 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1313.
Fort Payne High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
201 45th St Ne
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-0535
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-0535
Gr: 9-12 | 1,106 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1414.
Collinsville High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
802 S Valley Ave
Collinsville, AL 35961
(256) 524-2111
Collinsville, AL 35961
(256) 524-2111
Gr: PK-12 | 906 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1515.
Crossville Middle School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
63 Justice Street
Crossville, AL 35962
(256) 528-7859
Crossville, AL 35962
(256) 528-7859
Gr: 4-8 | 770 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1616.
Crossville High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5405 Co Road 28
Crossville, AL 35962
(256) 528-7858
Crossville, AL 35962
(256) 528-7858
Gr: 9-12 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
Alternative School
Alternative School
155 20th Street Ne
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-3711
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-3711
Gr: 5-12
Rank: n/an/a
Dekalb Annex School
Special Education School
409 E Main St
Rainsville, AL 35986
(256) 638-4131
Rainsville, AL 35986
(256) 638-4131
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Dekalb Technical Center
Vocational School
409 Main St E
Rainsville, AL 35986
(256) 638-4421
Rainsville, AL 35986
(256) 638-4421
Gr: 10-12
Rank: n/an/a
4111 Williams Ave Ne
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-3201
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 845-3201
Gr: K-2 | 738 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Dekalb County, AL?
The top-ranked public schools in Dekalb County, AL include Williams Avenue Elementary School, Plainview School and Little Ridge Intermediate School.
How many public schools are located in Dekalb County?
20 public schools are located in Dekalb County.
What percentage of students in Dekalb County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Dekalb County are educated in public schools (compared to the AL state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dekalb County?
Dekalb County public schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Alabama public schools average of 50% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Dekalb County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Dekalb County include: Plainview School vs. Fyffe High School, Henagar Junior High School vs. Fyffe High School, Wills Valley Elementary School vs. Ider School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
