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 2024-25 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 3,633 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 29% 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
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
17 Schools
1,601 Schools
# Students
7,974 Students
625,728 Students
# Teachers
435 Teachers
47,680 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
District Rank
Decatur SD 61 School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 845 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 70% has decreased from 72% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#850 out of 852 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)3%
28%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
6%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
50%
Graduation Rate
70%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.64
0.71
# American Indian Students
17 Students
1,400 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
52 Students
31,292 Students
% Asian Students
1%
5%
# Hispanic Students
419 Students
183,844 Students
% Hispanic Students
5%
29%
# Black Students
4,054 Students
135,602 Students
% Black Students
51%
22%
# White Students
2,346 Students
249,282 Students
% White Students
29%
40%
# Hawaiian Students
3 Students
688 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1,083 Students
23,478 Students
% of Two or more races Students
14%
4%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
552
18,316
# Students in K Grade:
645
26,945
# Students in 1st Grade:
639
28,445
# Students in 2nd Grade:
616
28,457
# Students in 3rd Grade:
635
29,250
# Students in 4th Grade:
588
29,801
# Students in 5th Grade:
579
38,916
# Students in 6th Grade:
558
111,539
# Students in 7th Grade:
582
136,141
# Students in 8th Grade:
538
141,493
# Students in 9th Grade:
533
9,661
# Students in 10th Grade:
527
9,392
# Students in 11th Grade:
509
8,726
# Students in 12th Grade:
473
8,646
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,649 in this school district is less than the state median of $21,914. The school district revenue/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,371 is less than the state median of $21,170. The school district spending/student has grown by 39% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$133 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$162 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,649
$21,914
Spending / Student
$20,371
$21,170
Best Decatur SD 61 School District Public Middle Schools (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Garfield Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
300 Meadow Terrace Pl, Kelley
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3361
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3361
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: #22.
Johns Hill Magnet School
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1025 E Johns Ave
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3350
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3350
Grades: K-8
| 643 students
Rank: #33.
Montessori Academy For Peace
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4735 E Cantrell St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3390
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3390
Grades: PK-8
| 697 students
Rank: #44.
Robertson Charter School
Charter School
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2240 E Geddes Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 428-7072
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 428-7072
Grades: PK-8
| 329 students
Rank: #55.
Dennis Lab School
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1499 W Main St, Dennis Lab Sch
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3511
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3511
Grades: PK-8
| 551 students
Rank: #66.
American Dreamer Stem Academy
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2115 S Taylor Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3380
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3380
Grades: K-8
| 391 students
Rank: #77.
Stephen Decatur Middle School
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1 Educational Park
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3251
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3251
Grades: 7-8
| 459 students
Rank: #88.
Hope Academy
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
955 N Illinois St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3280
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3280
Grades: K-8
| 563 students
Rank: n/an/a
Garfield Elementary School
Alternative School
300 Meadow Terrace Pl
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3275
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3275
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Recent Articles
College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
The article discusses a proposal in Washington D.C. to make college applications a requirement for high school graduation. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy, including its impact on graduation rates and college attendance. The piece also considers similar initiatives in other states and the debate surrounding this approach
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
This piece explores the controversial practice of offering monetary rewards to students for good grades. It examines studies conducted in various cities, discussing the effectiveness of such programs and the ethical concerns they raise. The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of this approach to student motivation.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
