Needs Improvement
#3666 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
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,666 of 3,813
In Decatur
#5 of 15
public schools
In district
#5 of 15
Decatur SD 61
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Parsons Elementary School
Elementary School in Decatur · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Antioch Christian Academy
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Our Lady of Lourdes School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Parsons Elementary School
Parsons Elementary School is a public elementary school in Decatur, IL, part of Decatur SD 61. Parsons Elementary School serves approximately 488 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Parsons Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,666 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Parsons Elementary School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 2.6
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
51% of students at Parsons Elementary 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
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 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: 4.6/10.
How Parsons Elementary School Compares
See how Parsons Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 | 1.9 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 1.7 mi | 3.5 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
| LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Decatur | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.7 mi | 3.0 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 2.8 mi | 2.1 |
| DECATUR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Forsyth | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Maroa-Forsyth Grade School Forsyth | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 3.6 mi | 2.7 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 4.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 4.9 mi | 3.3 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 5.0 mi | 2.2 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 5.2 mi | 6.5 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 5.3 mi | 2.5 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 5.3 mi | 1.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bushnell-Prairie City Elem Sch Bushnell, IL | 3.5 |
| Christopher Elem School Chicago, IL | 3.5 |
| Dwight Common School Dwight, IL | 3.5 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur, IL | 3.5 |
| Grand Prairie Elem School Joliet, IL | 3.5 |
| Gregory Elem School Rockford, IL | 3.5 |
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 ranks #3,666 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Parsons Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Parsons Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Parsons Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Parsons Elementary School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 51.2%
- Phone
- (217) 362-3330
Resources & Links
District
Decatur SD 61- District Enrollment
- 7,827
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,611
- District Rank
- #5 of 15
Other Schools in This District
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