Needs Improvement
#3710 of 3,813 schools in IL
Dennis Lab School
Elementary School · Decatur Sd 61 · Decatur, IL
A Decatur Sd 61 elementary school where students score 12 points below what's typical for similar communities.
300 E Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62523
- Math 4% proficient (2021)
- Reading 4% proficient (2022)
- 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Dennis Lab School score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IL average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 13 points since 2019, to 4% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 30% (multi-year average, 2009-2021) · reading/ELA 34% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
73.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Dennis Lab School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 31Car-Dependent
- Bike 33Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,518/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Decatur), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median rent
$333/mo
College educated
5.2%
Homeownership
9.7%
Poverty rate
49%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 62523; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
3 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Family Catholic SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.5private | PK–8 | 0.5 mi | 201 | Compare → |
| South Shores Elem SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 2.5 | K–6 | 0.5 mi | 338 | Compare → |
| American Dreamer Stem AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 2.2 | K–8 | 1.3 mi | 364 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Decatur Sd 61
- Schools in district
- 16
- Rank in district
- #6 of 15
- District spending per student
- $15,611NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 27.7%Census SAIPE · 2024
Dennis Lab School is listed in Decatur SD 61; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Dennis Lab School
Dennis Lab School is a public elementary school in Decatur, IL, part of Decatur Sd 61, serving approximately 539 students in grades Kindergarten-8th with a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #3,710 of 3,813 schools in IL. State assessment records show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 ranks #3,710 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Dennis Lab School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dennis Lab School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Dennis Lab School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dennis Lab School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 539
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Macon County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 57.5%
- Phone
- (217) 362-3511
- Area population (ZIP 62523)
- 802
- Area median age
- 37.5
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2021 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2021 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 62523; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2021, multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.