Decatur SD 61 School District

101 W Cerro Gordo St
Decatur, IL 62523-1001
(District boundaries shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Decatur SD 61 School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Illinois for:

Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2024 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 3,588 students in Decatur SD 61 School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Illinois.
Public Middle Schools in Decatur SD 61 School District have an average math proficiency score of 3% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 6% (versus the 31% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public middle school average of 60% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

2021-2022 School Year Data
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
18 Schools
1,590 Schools
# Students
8,260 Students
632,761 Students
# Teachers
484 Teachers
47,090 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1

District Rank

Decatur SD 61 School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 918 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2020-2021 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 76% has increased from 66% over five school years.
Definition of Terms 2021-2022 School Year Data
This School District
State Average (IL)
#920 out of 926 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
This chart display the overall district rank of Decatur SD 61  School District, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
3%
28%
This chart display the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Decatur SD 61  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of IL by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
6%
32%
This chart display the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Decatur SD 61  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of IL by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
(17-18)
76%
87%
This chart display public school graduation rate of Decatur SD 61  School District and public school graduation rate of IL by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.65
0.71
# American Indian Students
19 Students
1,516 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
84 Students
31,115 Students
% Asian Students
1%
5%
# Hispanic Students
401 Students
186,318 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
29%
# Black Students
4,060 Students
137,386 Students
% Black Students
49%
22%
# White Students
2,554 Students
252,625 Students
% White Students
31%
40%
# Hawaiian Students
9 Students
706 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1,133 Students
23,065 Students
% of Two or more races Students
14%
4%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
553
18,027
# Students in K Grade:
664
27,326
# Students in 1st Grade:
637
28,160
# Students in 2nd Grade:
653
28,498
# Students in 3rd Grade:
610
28,667
# Students in 4th Grade:
587
30,284
# Students in 5th Grade:
592
40,414
# Students in 6th Grade:
593
111,547
# Students in 7th Grade:
562
140,906
# Students in 8th Grade:
573
145,715
# Students in 9th Grade:
562
9,004
# Students in 10th Grade:
572
8,329
# Students in 11th Grade:
523
8,055
# Students in 12th Grade:
579
7,829
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,073 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,162. The school district revenue/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $19,666 is less than the state median of $21,409. The school district spending/student has grown by 34% over four school years.
This School District
This State (IL)
Total Revenue
$133 MM
$41,381 MM
This chart display total revenue of Decatur SD 61  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in IL by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$162 MM
$39,976 MM
This chart display total spending of Decatur SD 61  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in IL by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$16,073
$22,162
This chart display average revenue per public school student in Decatur SD 61  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in IL by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$19,666
$21,409
This chart display average spending per public school student in Decatur SD 61  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in IL by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Decatur SD 61 School District Public Middle Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
William Harris Learning Academy
Alternative School
Math: <50% | Reading: <50%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
620 E Garfield Ave, Kelley Mor
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3361
Grades: K-12
| 0 students
Rank: #22.
Johns Hill Magnet School
Math: 8% | Reading: 12%
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1025 E Johns Ave
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3350
Grades: K-8
| 576 students
Rank: #33.
Montessori For Peace
Math: ≤5% | Reading: 8%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4735 E Cantrell St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3390
Grades: PK-8
| 683 students
Rank: #44.
Dennis Lab School
Math: 4% | Reading: 7%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1499 W Main St, Dennis Lab Sch
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3511
Grades: PK-8
| 545 students
Rank: #55.
Stephen Decatur Middle School
Math: ≤1% | Reading: 5%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Educational Park
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3251
Grades: 7-8
| 485 students
Rank: #66.
American Dreamer Stem Academy
Math: 2% | Reading: 2%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2115 S Taylor Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3380
Grades: K-8
| 401 students
Rank: #77.
Robertson Charter School
Charter School
Math: ≤1% | Reading: 3%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2240 E Geddes Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 428-7072
Grades: PK-8
| 348 students
Rank: #88.
Hope Academy
Math: ≤1% | Reading: 2%
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
955 N Illinois St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3280
Grades: K-8
| 550 students
Rank: n/an/a
620 E Garfield Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3310
Grades: PK-12
| 0 students

Recent Articles

All-Girl Public High Schools: Improving Confidence and College Success
All-Girl Public High Schools: Improving Confidence and College Success
Discover how all-girl public high schools are making waves in education, fostering confidence and enhancing college success among young women. This article explores the unique benefits of single-gender education, from creating a supportive environment free from gender stereotypes to offering tailored academic programs that empower girls to excel. Learn how these schools cultivate leadership skills, academic achievement, and a strong sense of community, setting students on a path to thrive in college and beyond. With insights from educators and success stories from graduates, uncover the transformative impact of all-girl public high schools on female empowerment and educational attainment.
Teaching in Contemporary Times
Teaching in Contemporary Times
We explore why individuals choose teaching, illuminating intrinsic motivations, the influence of role models, the pursuit of lifelong learning, and the aspiration to impact society.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • District size: 18 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 8,260 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 69%
  • : 76% (Btm 50% in IL)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 3% (Btm 50%)
  • : 6% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Quick Links