Needs Improvement
#3794 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
2.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
338
Student-Teacher
21.1:1
Score
2.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,794 of 3,813
In Decatur
#9 of 15
public schools
In district
#9 of 15
Decatur SD 61
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South Shores Elem School
Elementary School in Decatur · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Holy Family Catholic School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Dennis Lab School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Shores Elem School
South Shores Elem School is a public elementary school in Decatur, IL, part of Decatur SD 61. South Shores Elem School serves approximately 338 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 21.1:1 student-teacher ratio. South Shores Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,794 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for South Shores Elem School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 2.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 2.6
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
South Shores Elem School runs 21.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
59% of students at South Shores Elem 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
South Shores Elem School — Students at South Shores Elem School score 2% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
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 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: 3.1/10.
How South Shores Elem School Compares
See how South Shores Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. ST PATRICK SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mt Zion Elem School (rated 6.7/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Zion), 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 | 3.3 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 1.9 mi | 2.7 |
| American Dreamer STEM Academy Decatur | 1.7 mi | 2.2 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 2.3 mi | 1.8 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 3.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 3.6 mi | 2.1 |
| Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur | 3.5 mi | 1.7 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 4.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Pershing Early Learning Center Decatur | 4.6 mi | 3.9 |
| McGaughey Elem School Mount Zion | 4.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Montessori Academy for Peace Decatur | 4.0 mi | 2.2 |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School Decatur | 5.2 mi | 1.9 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 5.2 mi | — |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 5.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Mt Zion Elem School Mount Zion | 4.6 mi | 6.7 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Morris Elem School Cahokia, IL | 2.5 |
| Dr Maude A Sanders Primary School Peoria, IL | 2.4 |
| Estelle Sauget School of Choice Cahokia, IL | 2.4 |
| Greenwood Elem School South Holland, IL | 2.6 |
| Leland Elem School Chicago, IL | 2.4 |
| Penniman Elem School Cahokia, IL | 2.4 |
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 ranks #3,794 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is South Shores Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Shores Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 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 South Shores Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Shores Elem School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 58.9%
- Phone
- (217) 362-3321
Resources & Links
District
Decatur SD 61- District Enrollment
- 7,827
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,611
- District Rank
- #9 of 15
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