Best Schools in Decatur, Illinois
23 schools · 17 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Decatur?
Use this page to compare every school in Decatur by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Montessori Academy for Peace
Elementary · Decatur Sd 61. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Robertson Charter School
Elementary · Decatur Sd 61. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
American Dreamer Stem Academy
Elementary · Decatur Sd 61. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Decatur for 2026 are Montessori Academy for Peace (5.3/10), Robertson Charter School (5.2/10), and American Dreamer Stem Academy (4.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 14 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
23
15 public · 8 private
Avg Score
4.4
out of 10
Median Home
$106,567
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
23
15 public · 8 private
Avg Score
4.4
out of 10
Median Home
$106,567
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 5.2/10 despite 77% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.6 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Decatur schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +4.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Decatur schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Decatur
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 14 rated schools; 23 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montessori Academy for Peace | 5.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Robertson Charter School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 3 | American Dreamer Stem Academy | 4.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Michael E Baum Elem School | 4.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Dennis Lab School | 3.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Muffley Elem School | 3.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Johns Hill Magnet School | 3.5 / 10 |
| 8 | Franklin Grove Elem School | 3.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Macarthur High School | 3.2 / 10 |
| 10 | South Shores Elem School | 3.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 4.4/10
- Median household income
- $55,586
- Median home value
- $106,567
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 52%
5% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Decatur compares
Illinois rank
#440 of 450
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-2.0
below Illinois avg (6.4)
Median household income
$56k
68% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
20
Decatur SD 61 runs Decatur's public schools
15 public schools. Decatur SD 61 is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Decatur is a Decatur SD 61 school (15 of 15).
Among 14 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.8 to 5.3 — the spread is inside Decatur, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Decatur, Illinois
Decatur, Illinois is home to 23 schools, including 15 public schools and 8 private schools. The city's schools span 17 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 4.4 out of 10, schools in Decatur show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Decatur is St Teresa High School with a composite score of 7.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Decatur is served by 1 school district: Decatur SD 61. These districts collectively serve 7,827 students.
Decatur's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $55,586. The poverty rate in the area is 26.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
17 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 639 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.3 |
| 2 | 332 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.2 |
| 3 | 364 students · Kindergarten–8th | 4.5 |
| 4 | 311 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.2 |
| 5 | 539 students · Kindergarten–8th | 3.7 |
| 6 | 401 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.7 |
| 7 | 623 students · Kindergarten–8th | 3.5 |
| 8 | 474 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.3 |
| 9 | 338 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.2 |
| 10 | 488 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.0 |
Show all 17 elementary schools in Decatur
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 467 students · 7th–8th | 3.2 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,042 students · 9th–12th | 3.2 | ||
| 2 | 936 students · 9th–12th | 3.0 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Teresa High SchoolPrivate 237 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 375 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.8 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Lutheran School AssociationPrivate 376 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Decatur
Decatur, Illinois · 23 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 4 ZIP codes
Median Income
$55,586
Median Home Value
$106,567
Median Rent
$690/mo
Population
79,432
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
26.4%
Community Profile
Decatur has a median household income of $55,586. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,567, with a median rent of $690/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 17
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
- Other
- 2
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in Illinois
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Decatur, Illinois
How many schools are in Decatur, Illinois?
Decatur has 23 schools, including 15 public and 8 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Decatur, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Decatur is 4.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Decatur, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Decatur on MySchoolScout is Montessori Academy for Peace with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Decatur, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Decatur on MySchoolScout is Montessori Academy for Peace with a composite score of 5.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Decatur, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Decatur on MySchoolScout is Stephen Decatur Middle School with a composite score of 3.2/10.
What is the best high school in Decatur, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Decatur on MySchoolScout is Macarthur High School with a composite score of 3.2/10.
How many school districts serve Decatur, Illinois?
Decatur is served by 1 school district: Decatur Sd 61.
What is the education level in Decatur, Illinois?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Decatur have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Decatur, Illinois?
The median household income in Decatur is approximately $55,586 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Decatur, Illinois?
Yes, Decatur has 8 private schools alongside 15 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Teresa High School with a score of 7.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Decatur, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Decatur is 17.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Decatur, Illinois?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Illinois Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.