Average
#2456 of 3,813 schools in IL
Hope Academy
Elementary School · Decatur SD 61
955 N Illinois St, Decatur, IL 62521
Enrollment
498
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
498
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#4 of 15
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,473 of 2,326
In district
#4 of 15
Decatur SD 61
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Hope Academy
Hope Academy is a public elementary school in Decatur, Illinois, nestled in the heart of Macon County. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, Hope Academy houses 498 students and employs 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The student-teacher ratio stands at 19.2:1, providing some individual attention to each student.
Located on North Illinois Street, the school is situated in a small city setting where it plays an important role in the community. Despite its modest MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3349 out of 3819 schools (placing it at the 12th percentile), Hope Academy is focused on supporting student development through various programs and initiatives. With only 3% proficiency in ELA/Reading and no students reaching proficiency levels in Math, there's clear room for academic growth.
The school continues to work diligently with its dedicated staff and supportive community to improve educational outcomes. Hope Academy stands as a cornerstone of the local neighborhood, fostering a nurturing environment where young minds can grow and learn.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Hope 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Hope Academy — Students at Hope Academy score 1% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Hope Academy Compares
See how Hope Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 0.5% (2019) to 0.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 4% (2019) to 2% (2022).
Location
955 N Illinois St, Decatur, IL 62521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hope Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PATRICK SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 1.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur | 2.4 mi | 4.1 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Pershing Early Learning Center Decatur | 2.4 mi | 3.9 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 2.8 mi | 6.5 |
| LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Decatur | 2.7 mi | 6.7 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 2.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 2.7 mi | — |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Decatur | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur | 2.9 mi | 4.6 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 3.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Montessori Academy for Peace Decatur | 3.5 mi | 3.3 |
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 Hope 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 |
|---|---|
| Acero Chtr Roberto Clemente Elem Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
| Bouchet Elem Math & Science Acad Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
| Burroughs Elem School Chicago, IL | 5.7 |
| CARDINAL JOSEPH BERNARDIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Orland Hills, IL | 5.7 |
| Dee-Mack Primary/Jr High Mackinaw, IL | 5.7 |
| Dujardin Elementary School Bloomingdale, IL | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hope Academy
What grades does Hope Academy serve?
Hope Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Hope Academy?
Hope Academy has an enrollment of approximately 498 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hope Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Hope Academy 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 Hope Academy rank in IL?
Hope Academy is ranked #2456 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Hope Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Hope Academy has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Hope Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hope Academy has 0.5% math proficiency and 2.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hope Academy a charter school?
No, Hope Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hope Academy a Title I school?
No, Hope Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hope Academy?
80.5% of students at Hope 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.
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
- 498
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Macon County
- Phone
- (217) 362-3280
- 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
- #4 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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