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Needs Improvement

#3781 of 3,813 schools in IL

Montessori Academy for Peace

Elementary School · Decatur SD 61

601 N Church St, Decatur, IL 62522

Enrollment

639

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decatur

#14 of 15

public schools

Illinois elementary schools

#2,297 of 2,326

In district

#14 of 15

Decatur SD 61

About Montessori Academy for Peace

Montessori Academy for Peace is a regular public school located in Decatur, Illinois, in Macon County. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school offers an educational environment that values community and personalized learning. With an enrollment of 639 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1, Montessori Academy for Peace ensures each child receives individual attention.

The academic performance at Montessori Academy for Peace shows areas where improvement is needed, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and an overall state ranking of #3563 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (7th percentile). Test scores indicate that only 17% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 7% are proficient or above in Math. The school is focused on student development and growth, offering a nurturing environment to help all learners succeed.

Montessori Academy for Peace is situated in the heart of Decatur, a small city with its own unique character and community spirit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency11%
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-22.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,005

Montessori Academy for Peace — Students at Montessori Academy for Peace score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
8%
2022
ELA
11%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Montessori Academy for Peace Compares

See how Montessori Academy for Peace performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
1th percentile in IL
Academic
2.5/10
2.5/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

601 N Church St, Decatur, IL 62522

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Montessori Academy for Peace may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mt Zion Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Mount Zion), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PATRICK SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur 0.6 mi 4.6
Muffley Elem School Decatur 1.7 mi 5.6
Robertson Charter School Decatur 2.9 mi 5.9
Eisenhower High School Decatur 2.8 mi 5.8
McGaughey Elem School Mount Zion 3.9 mi 4.3
Mt Zion Elem School Mount Zion 4.2 mi 7.2
Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur 3.2 mi 3.0
Hope Academy Decatur 3.5 mi 5.7
Mt Zion High School Mount Zion 4.5 mi 6.8
Mt Zion Jr High School Mount Zion 4.6 mi 5.8
Mt Zion Intermediate School Mount Zion 4.6 mi 4.9
ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur 3.8 mi 6.8
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur 4.0 mi 6.5
LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Decatur 4.6 mi 6.7
South Shores Elem School Decatur 4.0 mi 5.1
Dennis Lab School Decatur 4.2 mi 3.6
Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur 4.8 mi 4.1
ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur 4.7 mi 7.0
Parsons Elementary School Decatur 5.7 mi 5.3
OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Decatur 5.9 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62522 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,689

Median Home Value

$108,300

Median Rent

$783/mo

Population

14,984

College Educated

25.7%

Homeownership

65.1%

Avg Commute

17.6 min

Poverty Rate

25.3%

Median Age

34.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Montessori Academy for Peace has a median household income of $51,689. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,300, with a median rent of $783/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
CICS - Basil Campus Chicago, IL 3.3
Clinton Elem School South Elgin, IL 3.3
Univ of Chicago Chtr-Donoghue Chicago, IL 3.3
Arcadia Elem School Olympia Fields, IL 3.2
Eugene Field Elem School Rock Island, IL 3.2
Hampshire Elem School Hampshire, IL 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Montessori Academy for Peace

What grades does Montessori Academy for Peace serve?

Montessori Academy for Peace serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Montessori Academy for Peace?

Montessori Academy for Peace has an enrollment of approximately 639 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Montessori Academy for Peace?

The student-teacher ratio at Montessori Academy for Peace is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Montessori Academy for Peace rank in IL?

Montessori Academy for Peace is ranked #3781 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Montessori Academy for Peace's MySchoolScout rating?

Montessori Academy for Peace has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Montessori Academy for Peace?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Montessori Academy for Peace has 7.3% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Montessori Academy for Peace a charter school?

No, Montessori Academy for Peace is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Montessori Academy for Peace a Title I school?

No, Montessori Academy for Peace is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Montessori Academy for Peace?

42.6% of students at Montessori Academy for Peace qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
639
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Macon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Decatur SD 61
District Enrollment
7,827
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,611
District Rank
#14 of 15

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 methodology

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