For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 7,827 students in Decatur, IL (there are , serving 1,478 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Decatur, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Decatur, IL are Garfield Learning Academy, Milligan Academy Rssp and Social-emotional Learning Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Decatur, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 4% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 7% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Decatur have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Decatur, IL (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Garfield Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
300 Meadow Terrace Pl, Dianne
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3361
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3361
Gr: K-12
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Milligan Academy Rssp
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3900 N Neely Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3085
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3085
Gr: 6-11
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Social-emotional Learning Academy
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
620 E Garfield Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3310
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3310
Gr: K-12
Rank: #44.
Futures Unlimited
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3900 N Neely Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3080
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3080
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #55.
Macarthur High School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
300 E Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 362-3152
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 362-3152
Gr: 9-12 | 1,042 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #66.
Johns Hill Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3350
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3350
Gr: K-8 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #77.
Eisenhower High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1200 S 16th St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3100
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3100
Gr: 9-12 | 936 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #88.
Montessori Academy For Peace
(Math: 6% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3390
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3390
Gr: PK-8 | 639 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #99.
Robertson Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2240 E Geddes Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 428-7072
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 428-7072
Gr: PK-8 | 332 students Student-teacher ratio: 55:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Michael E Baum Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
801 S Lake Ridge Ave
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3521
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3521
Gr: K-6 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
South Shores Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3321
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3321
Gr: K-6 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1212.
Parsons Elementary School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3330
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3330
Gr: K-6 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1313.
Muffley Elementary School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
88 S Country Club Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3341
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3341
Gr: K-6 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1414.
Dennis Lab School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 4%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
300 E Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 362-3511
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 362-3511
Gr: K-8 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
American Dreamer Stem Academy
(Math: 2% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2115 S Taylor Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3380
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3380
Gr: K-8 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Stephen Decatur Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1 Educational Park
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3251
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3251
Gr: 7-8 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Franklin Grove Elementary School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 2%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3561
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3561
Gr: K-6 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Hope Academy
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 2%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
955 N Illinois St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3280
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3280
Gr: K-8 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
Heartland Technical Academy
Vocational School
1 College Park
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 872-4050
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 872-4050
Gr: 11-12
Rank: n/an/a
300 E Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 362-3301
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 362-3301
Gr: PK | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Decatur, Illinois Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
575 North Brush College Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 424-3184
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 424-3184
Gr: K-6 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Decatur Area Technical Academy (Closed 2012)
Vocational School
300 East Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 424-3071
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 424-3071
Gr: 2-12 | 7 students Minority enrollment: 29%
Decatur Correctional Center (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
2310 East Mound Rd
Decatur, IL 62524
(217) 877-0353
Decatur, IL 62524
(217) 877-0353
Gr: 12
Durfee Magnet Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Magnet School
1077 W Grand Ave
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3500
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3500
Gr: K-6
Garfield Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
300 Meadow Terrace Pl
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3275
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3275
Gr: K-12
Heartland Region Efedual Credit High School (Closed 2013)
Vocational School
1 College Park
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 875-7211
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 875-7211
Gr: 9-12
Heartland Technical Academy (Closed 2013)
Vocational School
300 East Eldorado St
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 424-3014
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 424-3014
Gr: 11-12
Middle and High marys adolescent Educational program (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1800 E Lake Shore Dr
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 464-5000
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 464-5000
Gr: 1-11
3789 N Water St
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 424-3084
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 424-3084
Gr: 7-8 | 465 students Minority enrollment: 52%
2160 W Center St
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3551
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3551
Gr: K-6 | 244 students Minority enrollment: 66%
2610 Salem Sch Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 864-2615
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 864-2615
Gr: K-3 | 90 students Minority enrollment: 3%
3900 N Neely Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3541
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3541
Gr: K-6 | 305 students Minority enrollment: 71%
4735 E Cantrell St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3201
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3201
Gr: 7-8 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
400 S Maffit St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 424-3205
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 424-3205
Gr: PK-6 | 331 students Minority enrollment: 70%
620 E Garfield Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3361
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3361
Gr: K-6 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Decatur, IL?
The top ranked public schools in Decatur, IL include Garfield Learning Academy, Milligan Academy Rssp and Social-emotional Learning Academy.
How many public schools are located in Decatur?
21 public schools are located in Decatur.
What percentage of students in Decatur go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Decatur are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Decatur?
Decatur public schools minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Decatur are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Decatur include: Eisenhower High School vs. Macarthur High School, Macarthur High School vs. Eisenhower High School, Montessori Academy For Peace vs. Hope Academy
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