Needs Improvement
#3810 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
1.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
467
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
1.9
Grades
7th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,810 of 3,813
In Decatur
#13 of 15
public schools
In district
#13 of 15
Decatur SD 61
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Stephen Decatur Middle School
Middle School in Decatur · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lutheran School Association
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Teresa High School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Stephen Decatur Middle School
Stephen Decatur Middle School is a public middle school in Decatur, IL, part of Decatur SD 61. Stephen Decatur Middle School serves approximately 467 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Stephen Decatur Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 1.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,810 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Stephen Decatur Middle School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 1.9 · Needs Improvement
- IL avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Stephen Decatur Middle School runs 20.3:1 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.
63% of students at Stephen Decatur Middle 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
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 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: 2.6/10.
How Stephen Decatur Middle School Compares
See how Stephen Decatur Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 | 3.5 |
| ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur | 1.3 mi | — |
| Robertson Charter School Decatur | 2.1 mi | 2.1 |
| Pershing Early Learning Center Decatur | 1.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Hope Academy Decatur | 2.4 mi | 3.0 |
| ST PATRICK SCHOOL Decatur | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Franklin Grove Elem School Decatur | 2.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Maroa-Forsyth Grade School Forsyth | 3.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur | 3.4 mi | 2.7 |
| DECATUR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Forsyth | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| MacArthur High School Decatur | 3.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Eisenhower High School Decatur | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Dennis Lab School Decatur | 4.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Michael E Baum Elem School Decatur | 4.5 mi | 1.7 |
| Muffley Elem School Decatur | 4.8 mi | 1.8 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur | 5.2 mi | 6.5 |
| South Shores Elem School Decatur | 5.2 mi | 2.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Rickover Jr High School Sauk Village, IL | 2.4 |
| Harold B Dawson Middle School West Peoria, IL | 2.5 |
| Southwood Middle School Country Club Hills, IL | 2.9 |
| Abbott Middle School Elgin, IL | 3.2 |
| Charleston Middle School Charleston, IL | 3.2 |
| Robert E Abbott Middle School Waukegan, IL | 3.2 |
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 ranks #3,810 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Stephen Decatur Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Stephen Decatur Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 1.9 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 Stephen Decatur Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Stephen Decatur Middle School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 63.4%
- Phone
- (217) 362-3251
Resources & Links
District
Decatur SD 61- District Enrollment
- 7,827
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,611
- District Rank
- #13 of 15
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