Average
#2989 of 3,813 schools in IL
South Shores Elem School
Elementary School · Decatur SD 61
601 N Church St, Decatur, IL 62522
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#7 of 15
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,778 of 2,326
In district
#7 of 15
Decatur SD 61
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About South Shores Elem School
South Shores Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Decatur, Illinois, within Macon County. Nestled on North Church Street, the school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 338 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21.1:1, South Shores offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
The school has 16 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its young learners. South Shores Elem School’s academic performance shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and an Illinois state ranking of #3408 out of 3819 schools. The school's test scores reveal that only 6% of students are proficient in English language arts and reading, while just 2% are proficient in math.
Despite these challenges, the staff at South Shores Elem School remains focused on fostering student development and growth. The setting of South Shores Elem School is a small city environment where community support plays an integral role in providing a nurturing educational experience for its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at South Shores Elem 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.
The student-teacher ratio at South Shores Elem School is 21.1:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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South Shores Elem School — Students at South Shores Elem School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.4%
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
↓ 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: 8.2/10.
How South Shores Elem School Compares
See how South Shores Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 2.5% (2022).
Location
601 N Church St, Decatur, IL 62522
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Shores Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mt Zion Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Zion), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PATRICK SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 0.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 0.5 mi | 3.6 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 1.9 mi | 3.0 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 3.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 3.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur | 3.5 mi | 4.6 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 4.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Pershing Early Learning Center Decatur | 4.6 mi | 3.9 |
| McGaughey Elem School Mount Zion | 4.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Montessori Academy for Peace Decatur | 4.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur | 5.2 mi | 4.1 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 5.2 mi | — |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 5.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Mt Zion Elem School Mount Zion | 4.6 mi | 7.2 |
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 South Shores Elem 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 |
|---|---|
| Arcola Elementary School Arcola, IL | 5.1 |
| Belle Alexander Elem School Kewanee, IL | 5.1 |
| Bethalto East Primary School Bethalto, IL | 5.1 |
| Centennial Elem School Plano, IL | 5.1 |
| Dean Street Elem School Woodstock, IL | 5.1 |
| East Elementary School Zion, IL | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Shores Elem School
What grades does South Shores Elem School serve?
South Shores Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend South Shores Elem School?
South Shores Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 338 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Shores Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Shores Elem School is 21.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Shores Elem School rank in IL?
South Shores Elem School is ranked #2989 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is South Shores Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Shores Elem School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 South Shores Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Shores Elem School has 2.5% math proficiency and 5.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Shores Elem School a charter school?
No, South Shores Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Shores Elem School a Title I school?
No, South Shores Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Shores Elem School?
73.4% of students at South Shores 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.
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
- 338
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Macon County
- Phone
- (217) 362-3321
- 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
- #7 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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