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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Decatur Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 7,840 students in Decatur, IL (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,431 private students). 85% 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 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 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 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public 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.
Futures Unlimited
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3900 N Neely Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3080
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #55.
Macarthur High School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1499 W Grand Ave
Decatur, IL 62522
(217) 362-3152
Gr: 9-12 | 1,059 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #66.
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: #77.
Eisenhower High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 S 16th St
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 362-3100
Gr: 9-12 | 909 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #88.
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: #99.
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: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #15 - 1615. - 16.
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: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Stephen Decatur Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 3%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Educational Park
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3251
Gr: 7-8 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
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: #17 - 1817. - 18.
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
Heartland Technical Academy
Vocational School
1 College Park
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 872-4050
Gr: 11-12
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
Rank: n/an/a
Pershing Early Learning Center
2912 N University Ave
Decatur, IL 62526
(217) 362-3301
Gr: PK | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 77%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Decatur, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Decatur, IL include Decatur Pub. Schs. Alt. Education, Milligan Academy Rssp and Social-emotional Learning Academy.
How many public schools are located in Decatur?
22 public schools are located in Decatur.
What percentage of students in Decatur go to public school?
85% 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 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Decatur are often viewed compared to one another?

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