Needs Improvement
#3754 of 3,813 schools in IL
Dennis Lab School
Elementary School · Decatur SD 61
300 E Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62523
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#13 of 15
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,275 of 2,326
In district
#13 of 15
Decatur SD 61
About Dennis Lab School
Dennis Lab School in Decatur, Illinois, serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 539 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each child’s needs. The school has 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse learning community.
Dennis Lab School's MySchoolScout rating is 3.0 out of 10 and it ranks at 3669 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, indicating room for improvement in academic performance. Test scores show that only 12% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 7% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these challenges, the school is focused on student development and growth.
Located in a small city setting, Dennis Lab School benefits from its close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and families work together to support each child’s educational journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Dennis Lab School — Students at Dennis Lab School score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.8/10.
How Dennis Lab School Compares
See how Dennis Lab School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 10% (2019) to 4% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 4% (2022).
Location
300 E Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dennis Lab School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PATRICK SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.6 mi | 5.7 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 2.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 4.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 3.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Pershing Early Learning Center Decatur | 4.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur | 3.6 mi | 4.6 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 4.8 mi | — |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 4.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur | 4.9 mi | 4.1 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Decatur | 5.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Montessori Academy for Peace Decatur | 4.2 mi | 3.3 |
| McGaughey Elem School Mount Zion | 4.5 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Rent
$333/mo
Population
802
College Educated
5.2%
Homeownership
9.7%
Poverty Rate
49%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 49.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bicentennial Elem School Coal Valley, IL | 3.6 |
| Briargate Elem School Cary, IL | 3.6 |
| J Covington Elem School Oak Lawn, IL | 3.6 |
| Riverdale Elem School Port Byron, IL | 3.6 |
| CICS - Washington Pk Campus Chicago, IL | 3.7 |
| Ernest F Kolb Elem School Oak Lawn, IL | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dennis Lab School
What grades does Dennis Lab School serve?
Dennis Lab School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Dennis Lab School?
Dennis Lab School has an enrollment of approximately 539 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dennis Lab School?
The student-teacher ratio at Dennis Lab School is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dennis Lab School rank in IL?
Dennis Lab School is ranked #3754 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Dennis Lab School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dennis Lab School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Dennis Lab School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dennis Lab School has 7.0% math proficiency and 11.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dennis Lab School a charter school?
No, Dennis Lab School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dennis Lab School a Title I school?
No, Dennis Lab School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dennis Lab School?
73.3% of students at Dennis Lab School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
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
- 539
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Macon County
- Phone
- (217) 362-3511
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Decatur SD 61- District Enrollment
- 7,827
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,611
- District Rank
- #13 of 15
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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