Needs Improvement
#3760 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
3.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
498
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,760 of 3,813
In Decatur
#7 of 15
public schools
In district
#7 of 15
Decatur SD 61
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Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Hope Academy
Elementary School in Decatur · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Patrick School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Johns Hill Magnet School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hope Academy
Hope Academy is a public elementary school in Decatur, IL, part of Decatur SD 61. Hope Academy serves approximately 498 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Hope Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #3,760 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Hope Academy show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 2.6
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
74% of students at Hope Academy 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
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 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: 4.1/10.
How Hope Academy Compares
See how Hope Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 notably 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 | 2.7 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 1.1 mi | 2.1 |
| 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 | 1.9 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 3.3 |
| 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 | 2.5 |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 2.7 mi | 3.5 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 2.7 mi | — |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 2.7 mi | 1.8 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Decatur | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur | 2.9 mi | 1.7 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 3.2 mi | 2.2 |
| Montessori Academy for Peace Decatur | 3.5 mi | 2.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bent Elem School Bloomington, IL | 3.0 |
| Carl Sandburg Elementary Joliet, IL | 3.0 |
| Creekside Elem Elgin, IL | 3.0 |
| Highland Elem School Elgin, IL | 3.0 |
| Hines Primary School Peoria, IL | 3.0 |
| Maryville Elem School Granite City, IL | 3.0 |
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 ranks #3,760 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Hope Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Hope Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Hope Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hope Academy has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 18% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 74.3%
- Phone
- (217) 362-3280
Resources & Links
District
Decatur SD 61- District Enrollment
- 7,827
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,611
- District Rank
- #7 of 15
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