Decatur Township’s public schools score below 98% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 3% of Decatur Township’s students scored proficient, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Decatur Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.
From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Decatur Township’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2021, 6% of tested students were proficient in reading and 3% in math, against 30% and 26% statewide; nearly all of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
73% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois. Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $18,753 per student in FY2024, against $21,567 across Illinois. 21% of its revenue that year was federal (Illinois 10%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Robertson Charter School, St. Teresa High School (private) and Holy Family Catholic School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Decatur Township’s grade
D−: better than 2% of Illinois school districts, #762 of 768 Illinois towns. Both inputs trail the Illinois average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Decatur Township, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Decatur Township
Pershing Early Learning Center
Grades PK · 416 students · 26:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
7th grade in Decatur Township · depends on your address
Johns Hill Magnet School
Grades K–8 · 627 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Dennis Lab School
Grades K–8 · 579 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Hope Academy
Grades K–8 · 501 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
8th grade in Decatur Township · depends on your address
Johns Hill Magnet School
Grades K–8 · 627 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Dennis Lab School
Grades K–8 · 579 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Hope Academy
Grades K–8 · 501 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
9th grade in Decatur Township · depends on your address
MacArthur High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,059 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Eisenhower High School
Grades 9–12 · 909 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
10th grade in Decatur Township · depends on your address
MacArthur High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,059 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Eisenhower High School
Grades 9–12 · 909 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
11th grade in Decatur Township · depends on your address
MacArthur High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,059 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Eisenhower High School
Grades 9–12 · 909 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
12th grade in Decatur Township · depends on your address
MacArthur High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,059 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Eisenhower High School
Grades 9–12 · 909 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Decatur
Decatur Township’s public schools are run by Decatur School District 61, which also serves Decatur. Parts of Decatur Township (14%, 2% and 2% of its land) are served by Warrensburg-Latham Community Unit District 11, Argenta-Oreana Community Unit School District 1 and Meridian Community Unit School District 15 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Decatur Township vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Decatur Township’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur Township | D− | Decatur School District 61 |
| Long Creek | B+ | Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District 100 PK–12 · Mount Zion Community Unit School District 3 PK–12 |
| Hickory Point | B+ | Maroa-Forsyth Community Unit School District 2 PK–12 · Warrensburg-Latham Community Unit District 11 PK–12 |
| South Wheatland | B+ | Meridian Community Unit School District 15 |
| Oakley | — | Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District 100 |
| Whitmore | C | Argenta-Oreana Community Unit School District 1 |
| Harristown | C | Sangamon Valley Community Unit School District 9 |
Every school in Decatur Township
11 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Social-Emotional Learning Academy).
Questions about Decatur Township’s schools
Are Decatur Township’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Decatur Township children attend score below 98% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade, #762 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 1%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Decatur Township in?
Decatur School District 61, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,840 students in 15 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Decatur Township are served by Warrensburg-Latham Community Unit District 11, Argenta-Oreana Community Unit School District 1 and Meridian Community Unit School District 15.
Where do Decatur Township kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: MacArthur High School and Eisenhower High School.
What is Decatur Township’s graduation rate?
73% of the class of 2023 in Decatur School District 61 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.
How much does Decatur Township spend per student?
$18,753 in Decatur School District 61 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Decatur Township?
Yes: St. Teresa High School (Catholic, grades 7–12, 237 students) and Holy Family Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 234 students). Decatur Township also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Decatur Township families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Decatur Township → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.