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Average

#1973 of 3,813 schools in IL

American Dreamer Stem Academy

Elementary School · Decatur SD 61

2115 S Taylor Rd, Decatur, IL 62521

Enrollment

364

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decatur

#1 of 15

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#1,214 of 2,326

In district

#1 of 15

Decatur SD 61

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About American Dreamer Stem Academy

American Dreamer STEM Academy is an elementary school located in Decatur, Illinois, within Macon County. The school serves kindergarten through eighth grade and has a total enrollment of 364 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. American Dreamer STEM Academy is housed at 2115 S Taylor Rd, nestled in the heart of a small city setting.

The academic performance at American Dreamer STEM Academy shows room for improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and state ranking of #3282 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (14th percentile). Students are below average in both ELA/Reading and Math proficiency, with only 4% proficient or above in reading and 2% in math. Despite the challenges, American Dreamer STEM Academy continues to focus on student development and growth.

The school's commitment to a regular public education model ensures that each child receives personalized attention from its dedicated staff of 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Located within a small city, the academy benefits from a close-knit community where parents and educators work together to support students. American Dreamer STEM Academy is set in a supportive neighborhood environment in Decatur, Illinois, offering a nurturing space for young learners to thrive.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at American Dreamer Stem Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency3%
Overall Proficiency3%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,005

American Dreamer Stem Academy — Students at American Dreamer Stem Academy score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 2.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 4.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
2%
2022
ELA
3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.8/10.

How American Dreamer Stem Academy Compares

See how American Dreamer Stem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in IL
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

2115 S Taylor Rd, Decatur, IL 62521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering American Dreamer Stem Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PATRICK SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Dennis Lab School Decatur 1.3 mi 3.6
South Shores Elem School Decatur 1.7 mi 5.1
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur 1.7 mi 6.5
MacArthur High School Decatur 2.6 mi 4.9
ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur 2.6 mi 6.8
Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur 2.6 mi 3.0
Eisenhower High School Decatur 2.7 mi 5.8
Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur 3.7 mi 5.0
Hope Academy Decatur 3.2 mi 5.7
Pershing Early Learning Center Decatur 4.1 mi 3.9
ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur 4.3 mi 7.0
ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 4.8 mi
Robertson Charter School Decatur 4.3 mi 5.9
Muffley Elem School Decatur 3.9 mi 5.6
Parsons Elementary School Decatur 5.0 mi 5.3
OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Decatur 5.5 mi 7.4
Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur 5.3 mi 4.1
Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur 4.9 mi 4.6
LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Decatur 5.8 mi 6.7
McGaughey Elem School Mount Zion 5.6 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,848

Median Home Value

$119,900

Median Rent

$857/mo

Population

32,455

College Educated

22.4%

Homeownership

74.2%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

43.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding American Dreamer Stem Academy has a median household income of $66,848. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,900, with a median rent of $857/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Academy for Global Citizenship Chicago, IL 6.2
Big Hollow Primary School Ingleside, IL 6.2
Bismarck-Henning Elem School Bismarck, IL 6.2
Bond Elem School Chicago, IL 6.2
Carter Elem School Chicago, IL 6.2
Central Elem School Des Plaines, IL 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about American Dreamer Stem Academy

What grades does American Dreamer Stem Academy serve?

American Dreamer Stem Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend American Dreamer Stem Academy?

American Dreamer Stem Academy has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at American Dreamer Stem Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at American Dreamer Stem Academy is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does American Dreamer Stem Academy rank in IL?

American Dreamer Stem Academy is ranked #1973 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is American Dreamer Stem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

American Dreamer Stem Academy has a composite rating of 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at American Dreamer Stem Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, American Dreamer Stem Academy has 2.3% math proficiency and 4.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is American Dreamer Stem Academy a charter school?

No, American Dreamer Stem Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is American Dreamer Stem Academy a Title I school?

No, American Dreamer Stem Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for American Dreamer Stem Academy?

77.2% of students at American Dreamer Stem Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,518/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Decatur). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Macon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Decatur SD 61
District Enrollment
7,827
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,611
District Rank
#1 of 15

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

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