Needs Improvement
#3813 of 3,813 schools in IL
Michael E Baum Elem School
Elementary School · Decatur Sd 61 · Decatur, IL
A Decatur Sd 61 elementary school where students score 12 points below what's typical for similar communities.
801 S Lake Ridge Ave, Decatur, IL 62521
- Math 3% proficient (2021)
- Reading 3% proficient (2022)
- 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Michael E Baum Elem School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. IL average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 7 points since 2019, to 3% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 32% (multi-year average, 2009-2021) · reading/ELA 30% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
75.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Michael E Baum Elem School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 11Car-Dependent
- Bike 25Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,518/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Decatur), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$66,848
Median home value
$119,900
Median rent
$857/mo
College educated
22.4%
Homeownership
74.2%
Poverty rate
12.5%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 62521; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montessori Academy for PeaceEnrollment path unverified | 2.2 | PK–8 | 0.6 mi | 639 | Compare → |
| Muffley Elem SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 1.8 | K–6 | 1.2 mi | 401 | Compare → |
| Robertson Charter SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 2.1 | PK–8 | 2.4 mi | 332 | Compare → |
| Johns Hill Magnet SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 2.7 | K–8 | 2.6 mi | 623 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Decatur Sd 61
- Schools in district
- 16
- Rank in district
- #15 of 15
- District spending per student
- $15,611NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 27.7%Census SAIPE · 2024
Michael E Baum Elem School is listed in Decatur SD 61; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Michael E Baum Elem School
Michael E Baum Elem School is a public elementary school in Decatur, IL, part of Decatur Sd 61, serving approximately 311 students in grades Kindergarten-6th with a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 1.7 out of 10 and ranks #3,813 of 3,813 schools in IL. State assessment records show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 311
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Macon County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 51.8%
- Phone
- (217) 362-3521
- Area population (ZIP 62521)
- 32,455
- Area average commute
- 17.7 min
- Area median age
- 43.3
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2021 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2021 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 62521; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2021, multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.