William Harris Elementary School (Closed 2020)

620 E Garfield Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(School attendance zone shown in map)
Serving 288 students in grades Kindergarten-6, William Harris Elementary 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 was ≤5% (which was lower than the Illinois state average of 33%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts was ≤5% (which was lower than the Illinois state average of 38%).
The student-teacher ratio of 22:1 was higher than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment was 67% of the student body (majority Black), which was higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic and Black).

School Overview

Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-6
Total Students
288 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
13 teachers

School Rankings

This School
State Level (IL)
(18-19)
≤5%
33%
(18-19)
≤5%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
13:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
n/a
6%
Hispanic
2%
28%
Black
53%
16%
White
33%
45%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
11%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
0.60
Eligible for Free Lunch
72%
43%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (15-16)
8%
3%
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 33% IL state average), while ≤5% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 38% IL state average).
How many students attend William Harris Elementary School?
288 students attend William Harris Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
53% of William Harris Elementary School students are Black, 33% of students are White, 11% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of William Harris Elementary School?
William Harris Elementary School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does William Harris Elementary School offer ?
William Harris Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-6
What school district is William Harris Elementary School part of?
William Harris Elementary School is part of Decatur School District 61.

Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.