Below Average
#3379 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
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#10 of 15
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,014 of 2,326
In district
#10 of 15
Decatur SD 61
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Michael E Baum Elem School
Michael E Baum Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Decatur, Illinois. Serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 311 students and employs 16 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.4:1. The setting is within a small city, offering students a close-knit community feel.
While Michael E Baum Elem School has room for academic growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3515 out of 3819 schools in Illinois, the school continues to focus on student development. Test scores indicate that only 6% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 5% are proficient or above in Math across all grades. Despite these challenges, Michael E Baum Elem School remains committed to supporting its students' educational journey.
The school is situated in a setting where the community values education and strives for improvement.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Michael E Baum Elem School 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
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Data not available for this school
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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 5 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: 7.1/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
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. Mt Zion Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Mount Zion), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PATRICK SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 3.2 miles away), 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 | 3.3 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.9 mi | 5.7 |
| McGaughey Elem School Mount Zion | 3.8 mi | 4.3 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 3.5 mi | 5.1 |
| LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Decatur | 4.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 3.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Mt Zion High School Mount Zion | 4.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Mt Zion Jr High School Mount Zion | 4.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Mt Zion Intermediate School Mount Zion | 4.7 mi | 4.9 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur | 4.5 mi | 4.1 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 4.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 5.3 mi | 5.3 |
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 Michael E Baum Elem School 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 |
|---|---|
| ACADEMY OF ST BENEDICT THE AFRICAN Chicago, IL | 4.6 |
| Acero Chtr - Carlos Fuentes Elem Chicago, IL | 4.6 |
| Algonquin Road Elem School Fox River Grove, IL | 4.6 |
| Auburn Elem School Auburn, IL | 4.6 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Quincy, IL | 4.6 |
| Bartonville Elem School Bartonville, IL | 4.6 |
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 is ranked #3379 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Michael E Baum Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Michael E Baum Elem School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Michael E Baum Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Michael E Baum Elem School has 5.0% math proficiency and 5.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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 – 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
- Phone
- (217) 362-3521
- 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
- #10 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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