ÿÈÕ³Ô¹Ï

Decatur School District 61

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

Top Rankings

Decatur School District 61 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 2026 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 3,462 students in Decatur School District 61. 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 School District 61 have an average math proficiency score of 4% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 6% (versus the 29% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public middle school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
17 Schools
1,599 Schools
# Students
7,827 Students
621,275 Students
# Teachers
424 Teachers
47,955 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Decatur School District 61, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 864 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 72% has decreased from 74% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (IL)
#852 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
4%
27%
6%
30%
21%
50%
72%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.65
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
6%
30%
% Black
51%
22%
% White
28%
39%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
14%
4%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $16,962 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,423. The school district revenue/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,754 is less than the state median of $21,662. The school district spending/student has grown by 41% over four school years.
This School District
This State (IL)
Total Revenue
$133 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$162 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,962
$22,423
Spending / Student
$20,754
$21,662

Best Decatur School District 61 Public Middle Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: K-12
Rank: #22.
Johns Hill Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3350
Gr: K-8 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #33.
Montessori Academy For Peace
(Math: 6% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3390
Gr: PK-8 | 639 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #44.
Robertson Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2240 E Geddes Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 428-7072
Gr: PK-8 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 55:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Dennis Lab School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 4%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
300 E Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 362-3511
Gr: K-8 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
American Dreamer Stem Academy
(Math: 2% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2115 S Taylor Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3380
Gr: K-8 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Stephen Decatur Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Educational Park
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3251
Gr: 7-8 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #88.
Hope Academy
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 2%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
955 N Illinois St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3280
Gr: K-8 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
620 E Garfield Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3310
Gr: PK-12

Recent Articles

Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 17 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 7,827 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 72%
  • : 72% (Btm 50% in IL)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 4% (Btm 50%)
  • : 6% (Btm 50%)
  • : 21% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Quick Links