Transfer House · Photo: Ander107 · CC BY-SA 3.0Decatur’s public schools score below 98% of Illinois districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 3% of Decatur’s students scored proficient, below the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Decatur, 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’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 ↓
Ten elementary schools, then two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
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’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, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Decatur · depends on your address
Montessori Academy for Peace
Grades PK–8 · 586 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Pershing Early Learning Center
Grades PK · 416 students · 26:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Decatur · depends on your address
MacArthur High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,059 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Eisenhower High School
Grades 9–12 · 909 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Decatur · depends on your address
MacArthur High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,059 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Eisenhower High School
Grades 9–12 · 909 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Decatur · depends on your address
MacArthur High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,059 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Eisenhower High School
Grades 9–12 · 909 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Decatur · depends on your address
MacArthur High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,059 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Eisenhower High School
Grades 9–12 · 909 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Decatur’s public schools are run by Decatur School District 61, which also serves Decatur. Parts of Decatur (9%, 8%, 3% and 3% of its land) are served by Argenta-Oreana Community Unit School District 1, Warrensburg-Latham Community Unit District 11, Maroa-Forsyth Community Unit School District 2 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 vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Decatur’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur | D− | Decatur School District 61 |
| Forsyth | A− | Maroa-Forsyth Community Unit School District 2 |
| Mount Zion | A− | Mount Zion Community Unit School District 3 |
| 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 |
| South Wheatland | B+ | Meridian Community Unit School District 15 |
| Long Creek | A− | Mount Zion Community Unit School District 3 |
| Long Creek Township | B+ | Cerro Gordo Community Unit School District 100 PK–12 · Mount Zion Community Unit School District 3 PK–12 |
Every school in Decatur
12 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).
Questions about Decatur’s schools
Are Decatur’s schools good?
On Illinois’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Decatur 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 in?
Decatur School District 61, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,840 students in 15 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Decatur are served by Argenta-Oreana Community Unit School District 1, Warrensburg-Latham Community Unit District 11, Maroa-Forsyth Community Unit School District 2 and Meridian Community Unit School District 15.
Where do Decatur kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: MacArthur High School and Eisenhower High School.
What is Decatur’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 spend per student?
$18,753 in Decatur School District 61 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Decatur families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Decatur → 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.