Top 10 Best Decatur Public Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 7,827 students in Decatur, IL (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,478 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Decatur, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Decatur, IL are Garfield Learning Academy, Milligan Academy Rssp and Social-emotional Learning Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Decatur, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 4% (versus the Illinois public school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 7% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Decatur have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Decatur, IL (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Garfield Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
300 Meadow Terrace Pl, Dianne
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3361
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Milligan Academy Rssp
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3900 N Neely Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3085
Grades: 6-11
| n/a students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Social-emotional Learning Academy
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
620 E Garfield Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3310
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: #44.
Futures Unlimited
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3900 N Neely Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3080
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: #55.
Macarthur High School
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
300 E Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 362-3152
Grades: 9-12
| 1,042 students
Rank: #66.
Johns Hill Magnet School
Magnet School
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3350
Grades: K-8
| 623 students
Rank: #77.
Eisenhower High School
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 S 16th St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3100
Grades: 9-12
| 936 students
Rank: #88.
Montessori Academy For Peace
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3390
Grades: PK-8
| 639 students
Rank: #99.
Parsons Elementary School
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3330
Grades: K-6
| 488 students
Rank: #1010.
Robertson Charter School
Charter School
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2240 E Geddes Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 428-7072
Grades: PK-8
| 332 students
Rank: #1111.
Muffley Elementary School
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
88 S Country Club Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3341
Grades: K-6
| 401 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Michael E Baum Elementary School
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
801 S Lake Ridge Ave
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3521
Grades: K-6
| 311 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
South Shores Elementary School
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3321
Grades: K-6
| 338 students
Rank: #1414.
Franklin Grove Elementary School
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3561
Grades: K-6
| 474 students
Rank: #1515.
Dennis Lab School
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
300 E Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 362-3511
Grades: K-8
| 539 students
Rank: #1616.
American Dreamer Stem Academy
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2115 S Taylor Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3380
Grades: K-8
| 364 students
Rank: #1717.
Stephen Decatur Middle School
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Educational Park
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3251
Grades: 7-8
| 467 students
Rank: #1818.
Hope Academy
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
955 N Illinois St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3280
Grades: K-8
| 498 students
Rank: n/an/a
Heartland Technical Academy
Vocational School
1 College Park
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 872-4050
Grades: 11-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
300 E Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 362-3301
Grades: PK
| 375 students
Rank: n/an/a
620 E Garfield Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3310
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Decatur, Illinois

Decatur, Illinois Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
363 N Water
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 422-6113
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
575 North Brush College Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 424-3184
Grades: K-6
| 169 students
300 East Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 424-3071
Grades: 2-12
| 7 students
2310 East Mound Rd
Decatur, IL 62524
(217) 877-0353
Grades: 12
| n/a students
1077 W Grand Ave
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3500
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
2115 S Taylor Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3390
Grades: PK-6
| n/a students
300 Meadow Terrace Pl
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3275
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
1 College Park
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 875-7211
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
300 East Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 424-3014
Grades: 11-12
| n/a students
1800 E Lake Shore Dr
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 464-5000
Grades: 1-11
| n/a students
3789 N Water St
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 424-3084
Grades: 7-8
| 465 students
2160 W Center St
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3551
Grades: K-6
| 244 students
2610 Salem Sch Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 864-2615
Grades: K-3
| 90 students
3900 N Neely Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3541
Grades: K-6
| 305 students
Sunnyside School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
303 W Mound Rd
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 424-3073
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
4735 E Cantrell St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3201
Grades: 7-8
| 482 students
400 S Maffit St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 424-3205
Grades: PK-6
| 331 students
620 E Garfield Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3361
Grades: K-6
| 288 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Decatur, IL?
The top ranked public schools in Decatur, IL include Garfield Learning Academy, Milligan Academy Rssp and Social-emotional Learning Academy.
How many public schools are located in Decatur?
21 public schools are located in Decatur.
What percentage of students in Decatur go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Decatur are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Decatur?
Decatur public schools minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Decatur are often viewed compared to one another?

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