Average
#2817 of 3,813 schools in IL
Parsons Elementary School
Elementary School · Decatur SD 61
601 N Church St, Decatur, IL 62522
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#6 of 15
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,671 of 2,326
In district
#6 of 15
Decatur SD 61
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Parsons Elementary School
Parsons Elementary School is a regular public school located in Decatur, Illinois, nestled in Macon County. Situated at 601 N Church St, the school serves kindergarten through sixth grade students within its community. With an enrollment of 488 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1, Parsons Elementary offers personalized attention to each child's educational needs.
The school has 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment. Parsons Elementary School’s academic performance is currently in need of improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout Rating of 4.0 out of 10 and state ranking of #3132 out of 3819 schools in Illinois (18th percentile). The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 8% and Math proficiency is at 5%, indicating areas for academic growth.
While the neighborhood data around Parsons Elementary School is not available, the setting offers a small city atmosphere that provides students with a close-knit community feel.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Parsons Elementary 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Parsons Elementary School — Students at Parsons Elementary School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.4%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Parsons Elementary School Compares
See how Parsons Elementary 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 8% (2022).
Location
601 N Church St, Decatur, IL 62522
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Parsons Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PATRICK SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 5.2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 0.2 mi | — |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Decatur | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Pershing Early Learning Center Decatur | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 2.4 mi | 4.9 |
| LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Decatur | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 2.8 mi | 5.9 |
| DECATUR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Forsyth | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Maroa-Forsyth Grade School Forsyth | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 3.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 4.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 4.9 mi | 3.6 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 5.0 mi | 6.2 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 5.2 mi | 6.5 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 5.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 5.3 mi | 5.6 |
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 Parsons Elementary School 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 |
|---|---|
| Arthur Froberg Elem School Rockford, IL | 5.3 |
| Bluffview Elem School Dupo, IL | 5.3 |
| CICS - West Belden Campus Chicago, IL | 5.3 |
| Canterbury Elem School Crystal Lake, IL | 5.3 |
| Carl Sandburg Elementary Joliet, IL | 5.3 |
| Chase Elem School Chicago, IL | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Parsons Elementary School
What grades does Parsons Elementary School serve?
Parsons Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Parsons Elementary School?
Parsons Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 488 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Parsons Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Parsons Elementary School is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Parsons Elementary School rank in IL?
Parsons Elementary School is ranked #2817 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Parsons Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Parsons Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Parsons Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Parsons Elementary School has 5.0% math proficiency and 7.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Parsons Elementary School a charter school?
No, Parsons Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Parsons Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Parsons Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Parsons Elementary School?
66.4% of students at Parsons Elementary 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
- 488
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Macon County
- Phone
- (217) 362-3330
- 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
- #6 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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