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Best Public Elementary Schools in Decatur, IL (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Decatur Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public elementary schools serving 5,043 students in Decatur, IL.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Decatur, IL are Decatur Pub. Schs. Alt. Education, 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 elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 4% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 6% (versus the 30% statewide average). Elementary schools in Decatur have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public elementary school average of 56% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Decatur, IL (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Decatur Pub. Schs. Alt. Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1 N Educational Park Dr, Jared
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3361
Gr: K-12
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Milligan Academy Rssp
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3900 N Neely Ave
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:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
620 E Garfield Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3310
Gr: K-12
Rank: #44.
Johns Hill Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1025 E Johns Ave
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3350
Gr: K-8 | 627 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #55.
Montessori Academy For Peace
(Math: 6% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4735 E Cantrell St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3390
Gr: PK-8 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #66.
Robertson Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2240 E Geddes Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 428-7072
Gr: PK-8 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Michael E Baum Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
801 S Lake Ridge Ave
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3521
Gr: K-6 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
South Shores Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2500 S Franklin Street Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3321
Gr: K-6 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #99.
Parsons Elementary School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3591 N Macarthur Rd
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3330
Gr: K-6 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1010.
Muffley Elementary School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
88 S Country Club Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3341
Gr: K-6 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1111.
Dennis Lab School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 4%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
300 Meadow Terrace Pl, Dennis
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3511
Gr: K-8 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1212.
American Dreamer Stem Academy
(Math: 2% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2115 S Taylor Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3380
Gr: K-8 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Franklin Grove Elementary School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 2%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2440 N Summit Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3561
Gr: K-6 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Hope Academy
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 2%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
955 N Illinois St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3280
Gr: K-8 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
Macon/piatt Roe 39 Alop
Alternative School
3433 Rupp Pkwy
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 872-3721
Gr: 4-12
Rank: n/an/a
Option Three
Alternative School
3433 Rupp Pkwy
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 872-3721
Gr: 6-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Decatur, IL?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Decatur, IL include Decatur Pub. Schs. Alt. Education, Milligan Academy Rssp and Social-emotional Learning Academy.
How many public elementary schools are located in Decatur?
16 public elementary schools are located in Decatur.
What is the racial composition of students in Decatur?
Decatur public elementary schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public elementary schools average of 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Decatur are often viewed compared to one another?

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