Dennis Lab School

300 E Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(School attendance zone shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 539 students in grades Kindergarten-8, Dennis Lab School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 4% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 28%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 4% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: Kindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 539 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 71%
  • : Bottom 50% in IL
  • : 4% (Btm 50%)
  • : 4% (Btm 50%)
  • : 20-24% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Dennis Lab School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Dennis Lab School's student population of 539 students has grown by 14% over five school years.
The teacher population of 28 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
Total Students
539 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers

School Rankings

Dennis Lab School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,426 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Dennis Lab School is 0.62, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (IL)
#3405 out of 3426 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(20-21)
4%
28%
4%
30%
20-24%
50%
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
6%
Hispanic
6%
28%
Black
53%
16%
White
29%
45%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
12%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
0.62
Eligible for Free Lunch
42%
43%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (15-16)
8%
3%
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dennis Lab School's ranking?
Dennis Lab School is ranked #3405 out of 3,426 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
4% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 28% IL state average), while 4% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
How many students attend Dennis Lab School?
539 students attend Dennis Lab School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
53% of Dennis Lab School students are Black, 29% of students are White, 12% of students are Two or more races, and 6% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Dennis Lab School?
Dennis Lab School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does Dennis Lab School offer ?
Dennis Lab School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-8
What school district is Dennis Lab School part of?
Dennis Lab School is part of Decatur SD 61 School District.

School Reviews

Review Dennis Lab School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Rate this school:

Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Grades: Kindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 539 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 71%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 4% (Btm 50%)
  • : 4% (Btm 50%)
  • : 20-24% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Related School Videos

Quick Links