Decatur Central High School is made up of five small learning communities, chosen by students according to their interest areas. These communities include focus areas of expeditionary learning, project-based learning, inquiry based learning, and artful learning. Each small learning community has 350 - 400 students, a director and a team of dedicated teachers. Students attend their basic, core courses in their communities. Students can choose to take courses outside their community through Learning Institutes that include higher level courses, Advanced Placement, dual credit and other electives. Courses such as band and fine arts are also accommodated in this way. Decatur continues to grow as a college-bound culture.