Top Rankings
Decatur School District 61 ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 1,978 students in Decatur School District 61. This district's average high testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Illinois.
Public High Schools in Decatur School District 61 have an average math proficiency score of 5% (versus the Illinois public high school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 14% (versus the 29% statewide average).
Public High School in Decatur School District 61 have a Graduation Rate of 72%, which is less than the Illinois average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Macarthur High School, with 77% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Illinois or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Illinois public high school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (IL)
# Schools
17 Schools
1,030 Schools
# Students
7,827 Students
605,599 Students
# Teachers
424 Teachers
42,717 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Decatur School District 61, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 864 school districts in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 72% has decreased from 74% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#852 out of 865 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
4%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
6%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
21%
50%
Graduation Rate
72%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.65
0.69
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
6%
% Hispanic
6%
29%
% Black
51%
16%
% White
28%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
14%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,962 in this school district is less than the state median of $21,990. The school district revenue/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $20,754 is less than the state median of $21,244. The school district spending/student has grown by 41% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$133 MM
$41,381 MM
Spending
$162 MM
$39,976 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,962
$21,990
Spending / Student
$20,754
$21,244
Best Decatur School District 61 Public High Schools (2026)
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: #22.
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: #33.
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%
Recent Articles
Helping Children Overcome First-Week School Anxiety
Learn practical strategies to help children overcome first-week school anxiety, with expert-backed tips for parents and educators.
Public School Immunization Requirements 2026–2027
Learn public school immunization and health requirements for 2026–2027, including vaccines, exemptions, and state policy updates.
Public Schools in a Minute: 2026 Snapshot Guide
A clear 2026 snapshot of public schools in the U.S., including enrollment, funding, trends, and what families should know.
