Below Average
#3138 of 3,813 schools in IL
Macarthur High School
High School · Decatur SD 61
300 E Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62523
Enrollment
1,042
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,042
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,138 of 3,813
In Decatur
#2 of 15
public schools
In district
#2 of 15
Decatur SD 61
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Macarthur High School
High School in Decatur · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Franklin Grove Elem School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pershing Early Learning Center
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Macarthur High School
Macarthur High School is a public high school in Decatur, IL, part of Decatur SD 61. Macarthur High School serves approximately 1,042 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Macarthur High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,138 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Macarthur High School show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 5.3
- IL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Macarthur High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
69% of students at Macarthur High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Macarthur High School — Students at Macarthur High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.5%
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: 8.7/10.
How Macarthur High School Compares
See how Macarthur High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
300 E Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Macarthur High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eisenhower High School (rated 5.8/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 1.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Pershing Early Learning Center Decatur | 1.5 mi | 3.9 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 2.3 mi | — |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 2.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 1.9 mi | 3.0 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 2.6 mi | 2.2 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 2.2 mi | 2.7 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 2.8 mi | 3.3 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Decatur | 2.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur | 3.0 mi | 1.9 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 3.3 mi | 2.5 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 2.9 mi | 2.1 |
| LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Decatur | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 4.3 mi | 1.8 |
| DECATUR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Forsyth | 5.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur | 4.8 mi | 1.7 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Dixon High School Dixon, IL | 4.8 |
| Jersey Comm High School Jerseyville, IL | 4.8 |
| Roosevelt High School Chicago, IL | 4.8 |
| Salem Community High School Salem, IL | 4.8 |
| Goode STEM Academy HS Chicago, IL | 4.6 |
| BR RICE HIGH SCHOOL Chicago, IL | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Macarthur High School
What grades does Macarthur High School serve?
Macarthur High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Macarthur High School?
Macarthur High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,042 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Macarthur High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Macarthur High School is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Macarthur High School rank in IL?
Macarthur High School ranks #3,138 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Macarthur High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Macarthur High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Macarthur High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Macarthur High School has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Macarthur High School a charter school?
No, Macarthur High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Macarthur High School a Title I school?
No, Macarthur High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Macarthur High School?
55.5% of students at Macarthur High 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,042
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Macon County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 69.3%
- Phone
- (217) 362-3152
Resources & Links
District
Decatur SD 61- District Enrollment
- 7,827
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,611
- District Rank
- #2 of 15
Other Schools in This District
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