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5.3 avg / 10

Best Schools in Decatur, Illinois

21 schools · 15 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High · 2 Other

Public: 15
Private: 6
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 5.3/10
Estimated Scores: 30%

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
5.3/10

10% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$55,586

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$106,567

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
18%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
18 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
52%

Of occupied housing units

How Decatur compares

Illinois rank

#386 of 444

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-1.0

below Illinois avg (6.3)

Median household income

$56k

68% of Illinois median

Schools in this city

20

About Schools in Decatur, Illinois

Decatur, Illinois is home to 21 schools, including 15 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 15 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.

With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Decatur show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Decatur is Our Lady of Lourdes School with a composite score of 7.4/10, 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

15 schools
# School Rating
1 364 students · Kindergarten–8th 6.2
2 332 students · Pre-K–8th 5.9
3 498 students · Kindergarten–8th 5.7
4 401 students · Kindergarten–6th 5.6
5 488 students · Kindergarten–6th 5.3
6 338 students · Kindergarten–6th 5.1
7 474 students · Kindergarten–6th 5.0
8 311 students · Kindergarten–6th 4.6
9 539 students · Kindergarten–8th 3.6
10 639 students · Pre-K–8th 3.3
11 623 students · Kindergarten–8th 3.0
Private Schools 4 schools

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 183 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
2 135 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
3 201 students · Pre-K–8th Not Rated
4 19 students · Kindergarten–6th Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 467 students · 7th–8th 4.1

High Schools

3 schools
# School Rating
1 936 students · 9th–12th 5.8
2 1,042 students · 9th–12th 4.9
Private Schools 1 school

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 275 students · 7th–12th Not Rated

Other Schools

2 schools
# School Rating
1 375 students · Pre-K–Pre-K 3.9
Private Schools 1 school

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 322 students · Pre-K–12th Not Rated

Schools in Decatur

Decatur, Illinois · 21 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.

Quick Facts

Total Schools
21
Elementary
15
Middle
1
High
3
Districts
1
Avg Rating
5.3/10

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Decatur, Illinois

How many schools are in Decatur, Illinois?

Decatur has 21 schools, including 15 public and 6 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 5.3 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Decatur, Illinois?

The top-ranked school in Decatur on MySchoolScout is Our Lady of Lourdes School with a composite score of 7.4/10.

What is the best elementary school in Decatur, Illinois?

The top-ranked elementary school in Decatur on MySchoolScout is Our Lady of Lourdes School with a composite score of 7.4/10.

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 4.1/10.

What is the best high school in Decatur, Illinois?

The top-ranked high school in Decatur on MySchoolScout is St Teresa High School with a composite score of 7.0/10.

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 6 private schools alongside 15 public schools. The top-rated private school is Our Lady of Lourdes School with a score of 7.4/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Decatur, Illinois?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Decatur is 18.3:1. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.

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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.