Needs Improvement
#3710 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
3.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
3.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,710 of 3,813
In Decatur
#6 of 15
public schools
In district
#6 of 15
Decatur SD 61
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Dennis Lab School
Elementary School in Decatur · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Holy Family Catholic School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
South Shores Elem School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dennis Lab School
Dennis Lab School is a public elementary school in Decatur, IL, part of Decatur SD 61. Dennis Lab School serves approximately 539 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Dennis Lab School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #3,710 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Dennis Lab School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 2.6
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
58% of students at Dennis Lab School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 27 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: 4.5/10.
How Dennis Lab School Compares
See how Dennis Lab School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 | 2.5 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 1.3 mi | 2.2 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 1.7 mi | 2.7 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.6 mi | 3.0 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 2.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 1.8 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 3.4 mi | 2.1 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 4.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 3.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Pershing Early Learning Center Decatur | 4.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur | 3.6 mi | 1.7 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 4.8 mi | — |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 4.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur | 4.9 mi | 1.9 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Decatur | 5.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Montessori Academy for Peace Decatur | 4.2 mi | 2.2 |
| McGaughey Elem School Mount Zion | 4.5 mi | 5.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Elem School Belleville, IL | 3.3 |
| Dubois Elem School Springfield, IL | 3.3 |
| Je-Neir Elem School Momence, IL | 3.3 |
| Powell Elem Paideia Comm Academy Chicago, IL | 3.3 |
| Riverton Elem School Riverton, IL | 3.3 |
| Roosevelt Elem School Broadview, IL | 3.3 |
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 57.5%
- Phone
- (217) 362-3511
Resources & Links
District
Decatur SD 61- District Enrollment
- 7,827
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,611
- District Rank
- #6 of 15
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