Needs Improvement
#3685 of 3,813 schools in IL
Pershing Early Learning Center
School · Decatur SD 61
300 E Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62523
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 14 schools in Decatur. Learn more
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
26.8:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – Pre-K
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
26.8:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – Pre-K
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#12 of 15
public schools
In district
#12 of 15
Decatur SD 61
About Pershing Early Learning Center
Pershing Early Learning Center is a public school located in Decatur, Illinois, within Macon County. The school serves preschool children from ages 4 to 5 and has an enrollment of 375 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 26.8:1 and 14 full-time equivalent teachers, Pershing Early Learning Center focuses on providing foundational educational experiences for young learners.
While academic performance data is not available, the school’s MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 suggests there may be room for improvement in test scores. However, this does not diminish the importance and value of the early learning programs offered at Pershing Early Learning Center. The school is situated in a small city setting, offering a close-knit community feel where parents can easily connect with other families and educators.
Pershing Early Learning Center thrives within its supportive neighborhood environment in Decatur, fostering strong relationships between teachers, students, and the local community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Pershing Early Learning Center is 26.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Pershing Early Learning Center Compares
See how Pershing Early Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
300 E Eldorado St, Decatur, IL 62523
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pershing Early Learning Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PATRICK SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 0.8 mi | — |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 1.5 mi | 4.9 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Decatur | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Decatur | 2.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 3.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 3.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 4.2 mi | 3.6 |
| DECATUR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Forsyth | 4.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Maroa-Forsyth Grade School Forsyth | 4.4 mi | 5.2 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 4.6 mi | 6.5 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 4.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 5.0 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62523 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Rent
$333/mo
Population
802
College Educated
5.2%
Homeownership
9.7%
Poverty Rate
49%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
It is a community where 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The area has a poverty rate of 49.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pershing Early Learning Center
What grades does Pershing Early Learning Center serve?
Pershing Early Learning Center serves students in grades Pre-K through Pre-K.
How many students attend Pershing Early Learning Center?
Pershing Early Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pershing Early Learning Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Pershing Early Learning Center is 26.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pershing Early Learning Center rank in IL?
Pershing Early Learning Center is ranked #3685 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Pershing Early Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Pershing Early Learning Center has a composite rating of 3.9 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.
Is Pershing Early Learning Center a charter school?
No, Pershing Early Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pershing Early Learning Center a Title I school?
No, Pershing Early Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pershing Early Learning Center?
67.5% of students at Pershing Early Learning Center 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
- Pre-K – Pre-K
- Enrollment
- 375
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Macon County
- Phone
- (217) 362-3301
- 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
- #12 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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