Below Average
#3627 of 3,813 schools in IL
Stephen Decatur Middle School
Middle School · Decatur SD 61
1 Educational Park, Decatur, IL 62526
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
4.1
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#11 of 15
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#663 of 684
In district
#11 of 15
Decatur SD 61
Academic growth
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Stephen Decatur Middle School
Stephen Decatur Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the heart of Decatur, Illinois, within Macon County. The school serves seventh and eighth graders with an enrollment of 467 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.3:1. Stephen Decatur Middle School has 23 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing education to its diverse student body.
The academic performance at Stephen Decatur Middle School currently ranks in the lower percentile among Illinois schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 1.0 out of 10. On standardized tests, students show proficiency rates of only 6% in ELA/Reading and 2% in Math across all grades. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to supporting its students through various programs and resources tailored to their needs.
Stephen Decatur Middle School is situated in a small city setting that fosters close-knit community ties among families and educators. Located at 1 Educational Park, Stephen Decatur Middle School plays an important role in the local education landscape of Decatur, Illinois.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Stephen Decatur Middle 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 Stephen Decatur Middle School is 20.3:1, 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
Stephen Decatur Middle School — Students at Stephen Decatur Middle School score 2% 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
↓ 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: 7.7/10.
How Stephen Decatur Middle School Compares
See how Stephen Decatur Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 4% (2019) to 0.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 3% (2022).
Location
1 Educational Park, Decatur, IL 62526
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Stephen Decatur Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 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, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LUTHERAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Decatur | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| ST TERESA HIGH SCHOOL Decatur | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL Decatur | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Parsons Elementary School Decatur | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 1.3 mi | — |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Pershing Early Learning Center Decatur | 1.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Maroa-Forsyth Grade School Forsyth | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 3.4 mi | 3.0 |
| DECATUR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Forsyth | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 3.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 4.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur | 4.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 4.8 mi | 5.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 5.2 mi | 6.5 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 5.2 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 62526 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,222
Median Home Value
$91,500
Median Rent
$785/mo
Population
31,191
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
58.4%
Avg Commute
17.5 min
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Median Age
41.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Stephen Decatur Middle School has a median household income of $48,222. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $91,500, with a median rent of $785/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Northlawn Jr High School Streator, IL | 4.1 |
| Rochelle Middle School Rochelle, IL | 4.1 |
| Canton Middle School Streamwood, IL | 4.0 |
| Elm Middle School Elmwood Park, IL | 4.0 |
| Northbrook School Mendota, IL | 4.0 |
| Rochester Intermediate School Rochester, IL | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Stephen Decatur Middle School
What grades does Stephen Decatur Middle School serve?
Stephen Decatur Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Stephen Decatur Middle School?
Stephen Decatur Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 467 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Stephen Decatur Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Stephen Decatur Middle School is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Stephen Decatur Middle School rank in IL?
Stephen Decatur Middle School is ranked #3627 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Stephen Decatur Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Stephen Decatur Middle School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Stephen Decatur Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Stephen Decatur Middle School has 2.3% math proficiency and 6.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Stephen Decatur Middle School a charter school?
No, Stephen Decatur Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Stephen Decatur Middle School a Title I school?
No, Stephen Decatur Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stephen Decatur Middle School?
66.4% of students at Stephen Decatur Middle 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
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 467
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Macon County
- Phone
- (217) 362-3251
- 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
- #11 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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