Needs Improvement
#3813 of 3,813 schools in IL
Michael E Baum Elem School
Elementary School · Decatur SD 61
801 S Lake Ridge Ave, Decatur, IL 62521
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
1.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
1.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,813 of 3,813
In Decatur
#15 of 15
public schools
In district
#15 of 15
Decatur SD 61
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Michael E Baum Elem School
Elementary School in Decatur · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Montessori Academy for Peace
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Muffley Elem School
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Michael E Baum Elem School
Michael E Baum Elem School is a public elementary school in Decatur, IL, part of Decatur SD 61. Michael E Baum Elem School serves approximately 311 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Michael E Baum Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 1.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,813 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Michael E Baum Elem School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 1.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 2.6
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
52% of students at Michael E Baum Elem 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
Michael E Baum Elem School — Students at Michael E Baum Elem School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.2%
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: 1.5/10.
How Michael E Baum Elem School Compares
See how Michael E Baum Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
801 S Lake Ridge Ave, Decatur, IL 62521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Michael E Baum Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST PATRICK SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mt Zion Elem School (rated 6.7/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Mount Zion), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Montessori Academy for Peace Decatur | 0.6 mi | 2.2 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 1.2 mi | 1.8 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 2.4 mi | 2.1 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 2.7 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.9 mi | 3.0 |
| McGaughey Elem School Mount Zion | 3.8 mi | 5.1 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 3.2 mi | 6.8 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Mt Zion Elem School Mount Zion | 4.2 mi | 6.7 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 3.5 mi | 2.5 |
| LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Decatur | 4.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 3.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Mt Zion High School Mount Zion | 4.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Mt Zion Jr High School Mount Zion | 4.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Mt Zion Intermediate School Mount Zion | 4.7 mi | 5.3 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur | 4.5 mi | 1.9 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 4.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 5.3 mi | 3.5 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Muffley Elem School Decatur, IL | 1.8 |
| Namaste Elem Charter School Chicago, IL | 1.9 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur, IL | 2.1 |
| Willard Elem School South Elgin, IL | 2.1 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur, IL | 2.2 |
| Dr Maude A Sanders Primary School Peoria, IL | 2.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Michael E Baum Elem School
What grades does Michael E Baum Elem School serve?
Michael E Baum Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Michael E Baum Elem School?
Michael E Baum Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 311 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Michael E Baum Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Michael E Baum Elem School is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Michael E Baum Elem School rank in IL?
Michael E Baum Elem School ranks #3,813 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Michael E Baum Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Michael E Baum Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 1.7 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 Michael E Baum Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Michael E Baum Elem School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Michael E Baum Elem School a charter school?
No, Michael E Baum Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Michael E Baum Elem School a Title I school?
No, Michael E Baum Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Michael E Baum Elem School?
75.2% of students at Michael E Baum Elem 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 – 6th
- Enrollment
- 311
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Macon County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 51.8%
- Phone
- (217) 362-3521
Resources & Links
District
Decatur SD 61- District Enrollment
- 7,827
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,611
- District Rank
- #15 of 15
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