Decatur SD 61

Public school district · Macon County · Illinois · NCES district ID 1711850

Decatur SD 61 spent $15,611 per student on current operations in fiscal year 2022-23, below the middle: 71% of the other Illinois districts with at least 1,000 students in fall 2022 spent more (median $18,127). Its 15 schools enrolled 7,840 students in 2024-25; 46.7% of its revenue came from the state. Census Bureau figures for 2023-24 put it at $18,753 per student, up 20.1% on the year before (U.S. $17,619 that year). Its four-year graduation rate for the class of 2023 was 73% (Illinois: 87.6%).

NCES F-33 finance survey, fiscal year 2022-23 · Census Bureau school finances 2023-24 · NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25 · method

Spending per student among Illinois districts of similar size

Current spending per student excludes construction and debt. The 9 districts closest to Decatur SD 61 in enrollment (7,185 to 8,595 students) and Decatur SD 61 itself.

Current spending per student, Illinois districts closest in size to Decatur SD 61, FY23Cons HSD 230 $24,263; Glenbard Twp HSD 87 $24,208; Barrington Community Unit 220 $24,207; Elmhurst SD 205 $21,623; J Sterling Morton High School District 201 $18,016; Belvidere Community Unit School District 100 $18,002; Huntley Community School District 158 $17,577; Moline Coal Valley $15,998; Decatur SD 61 $15,611; Edwardsville CUSD 7 $14,335; State median, 1,000+ students $18,127.10k15k20k25kCons HSD 230$24,263Glenbard Twp HSD 87$24,208Barrington Community Unit 220$24,207Elmhurst SD 205$21,623J Sterling Morton High School …$18,016Belvidere Community Unit Schoo…$18,002Huntley Community School Distr…$17,577Moline Coal Valley$15,998Decatur SD 61$15,611Edwardsville CUSD 7$14,335State median, 1,000+ students $18,127
Current spending per student, Illinois districts closest in size to Decatur SD 61, FY23Cons HSD 230 $24,263; Glenbard Twp HSD 87 $24,208; Barrington Community Unit 220 $24,207; Elmhurst SD 205 $21,623; J Sterling Morton High School District 201 $18,016; Belvidere Community Unit School District 100 $18,002; Huntley Community School District 158 $17,577; Moline Coal Valley $15,998; Decatur SD 61 $15,611; Edwardsville CUSD 7 $14,335; State median, 1,000+ students $18,127.10k15k20k25kCons HSD 230$24,263Glenbard Twp HSD 87$24,208Barrington Community Unit 220$24,207Elmhurst SD 205$21,623J Sterling Morton High School Distr…$18,016Belvidere Community Unit School Dis…$18,002Huntley Community School District 1…$17,577Moline Coal Valley$15,998Decatur SD 61$15,611Edwardsville CUSD 7$14,335State median, 1,000+ students $18,127
Current spending per student, Illinois districts closest in size to Decatur SD 61, FY23Cons HSD 230 $24,263; Glenbard Twp HSD 87 $24,208; Barrington Community Unit 220 $24,207; Elmhurst SD 205 $21,623; J Sterling Morton High School District 201 $18,016; Belvidere Community Unit School District 100 $18,002; Huntley Community School District 158 $17,577; Moline Coal Valley $15,998; Decatur SD 61 $15,611; Edwardsville CUSD 7 $14,335; State median, 1,000+ students $18,127.10k15k20k25kCons HSD 230$24,263Glenbard Twp HSD 87$24,208Barrington Community Unit 220$24,207Elmhurst SD 205$21,623J Sterling Morton High School District 201$18,016Belvidere Community Unit School District 100$18,002Huntley Community School District 158$17,577Moline Coal Valley$15,998Decatur SD 61$15,611Edwardsville CUSD 7$14,335State median, 1,000+ students $18,127
Current spending per student, Illinois districts closest in size to Decatur SD 61, FY23Cons HSD 230 $24,263; Glenbard Twp HSD 87 $24,208; Barrington Community Unit 220 $24,207; Elmhurst SD 205 $21,623; J Sterling Morton High School District 201 $18,016; Belvidere Community Unit School District 100 $18,002; Huntley Community School District 158 $17,577; Moline Coal Valley $15,998; Decatur SD 61 $15,611; Edwardsville CUSD 7 $14,335; State median, 1,000+ students $18,127.10k15k20k25kCons HSD 230$24,263Glenbard Twp HSD 87$24,208Barrington Community Unit 220$24,207Elmhurst SD 205$21,623J Sterling Morton High School District…$18,016Belvidere Community Unit School Distric…$18,002Huntley Community School District 158$17,577Moline Coal Valley$15,998Decatur SD 61$15,611Edwardsville CUSD 7$14,335State median, 1,000+ students $18,127

Where the money came from

$150,415,000 in revenue: 46.7% state, 37.8% local and 15.5% federal. Total spending including $3,060,000 of capital outlay was $144,514,000, or $18,123 per student; the figure above leaves capital out.

Decatur SD 61 revenue by source, fiscal year 2022-23State $70,262,000; Local $56,831,000; Federal $23,322,000; total $150,415,000.
  • State$70,262,000 47%
  • Local$56,831,000 38%
  • Federal$23,322,000 16%

Source: NCES F-33 school district finance survey, fiscal year 2022-23: current expenditures for elementary and secondary education divided by fall membership; the state median covers 377 districts with at least 1,000 students in fall 2022. Revenue by source (TOTALREV, TFEDREV, TSTREV, TLOCREV).

Enrollment fell from 2022-23 to 2024-25

7,974 students in 2022-23, 7,827 students in 2023-24, 7,840 students in 2024-25, counted across the schools that reported each year.

Decatur SD 61 enrollment by school year2022-23: 7,974, 2023-24: 7,827, 2024-25: 7,84002k4k6k8k2022-237,9742023-247,8272024-257,840
Decatur SD 61 enrollment by school year2022-23: 7,974, 2023-24: 7,827, 2024-25: 7,84002k4k6k8k2022-237,9742023-247,8272024-257,840
Decatur SD 61 enrollment by school year2022-23: 7,974, 2023-24: 7,827, 2024-25: 7,84002k4k6k8k2022-237,9742023-247,8272024-257,840
Decatur SD 61 enrollment by school year2022-23: 7,974, 2023-24: 7,827, 2024-25: 7,84002k4k6k8k2022-237,9742023-247,8272024-257,840

Teachers and students per teacher

School yearStudentsTeachers (FTE)Per teacher
2022-237,974421.618.9
2023-247,827406.019.3
2024-257,840450.017.4

Source: NCES Common Core of Data membership and staff files, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25; sums over the schools reporting each year.

State test results, 2021-22

In 2021-22, the students tested in Decatur SD 61 scored proficient or above: 6% in reading, against 29.9% in reading across Illinois. Each state writes its own test and sets its own proficiency bar, so compare these within Illinois, not across states.

Students proficient or above, 2021-22
SubjectThis districtIllinoisStudents tested
Reading and language arts6%29.9%3,828

Source: U.S. Department of Education, EDFacts state assessment results 2021-22, all students, from ED Data Express (the Data Rescue Project archive; ED has no 2022-23 result for this district): ED shows district results as ranges (for example 20-24%) to protect small groups.

Graduation rate, class of 2023

73% of the 525 students in Decatur SD 61's class of 2023 graduated within four years, against 87.6% across Illinois. The four-year rate follows the students who started ninth grade in fall 2019, adjusted for those who moved in or out, and counts those who earned a regular diploma by 2023. Every state computes it the same way under federal law, though each sets its own diploma requirements.

Four-year adjusted-cohort graduation rate, class of 2023
This districtIllinois
Four-year graduation rate73%87.6%
Students in the class525149,998

Source: U.S. Department of Education, EDFacts four-year adjusted-cohort graduation rates 2022-23, all students, from ED Data Express: ED shows district rates as ranges (for example 90-94%) and leaves out small classes.

11 elementary schools, 5,043 students

SchoolStudentsPer teacherFree lunchTitle I, 2021‑22
Johns Hill Magnet School62715.3All free (CEP)Schoolwide program
Montessori Academy for Peace58614.7All free (CEP)Schoolwide program
Dennis Lab School57916.5All free (CEP)Schoolwide program
Parsons Elementary School50515.8All free (CEP)Schoolwide program
Hope Academy50113.9All free (CEP)Schoolwide program
Franklin Grove Elementary School46118.5All free (CEP)Schoolwide program
American Dreamer STEM Academy42315.1All free (CEP)Schoolwide program
Muffley Elementary School38617.5All free (CEP)Schoolwide program
South Shores Elementary School33518.5All free (CEP)Schoolwide program
Robertson Charter School32729.7All free (CEP)Schoolwide program
Michael E Baum Elementary School31318.4All free (CEP)Schoolwide program

Source: NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25; Title I status CCD 2021-22, the last year NCES published it. All free (CEP): every student eats free under the Community Eligibility Provision, so the school reports no free-lunch count; not reported: the school sent NCES no meal count.

1 middle school, 413 students

SchoolStudentsPer teacherFree lunchTitle I, 2021‑22
Stephen Decatur Middle School41318.0All free (CEP)Schoolwide program

Source: NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25; Title I status CCD 2021-22, the last year NCES published it. All free (CEP): every student eats free under the Community Eligibility Provision, so the school reports no free-lunch count; not reported: the school sent NCES no meal count.

2 high schools, 1,968 students

SchoolStudentsPer teacherFree lunchTitle I, 2021‑22
MacArthur High School1,05920.0All free (CEP)Eligible, no program
Eisenhower High School90917.2All free (CEP)Eligible, no program

Source: NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25; Title I status CCD 2021-22, the last year NCES published it. All free (CEP): every student eats free under the Community Eligibility Provision, so the school reports no free-lunch count; not reported: the school sent NCES no meal count.

1 other school, 416 students

SchoolStudentsPer teacherFree lunchTitle I, 2021‑22
Pershing Early Learning Center41626.0All free (CEP)Not Title I

Source: NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25; Title I status CCD 2021-22, the last year NCES published it. All free (CEP): every student eats free under the Community Eligibility Provision, so the school reports no free-lunch count; not reported: the school sent NCES no meal count.

Contact Decatur SD 61

Source: NCES Common Core of Data, local education agency directory 2024-25. Enrollment, boundaries and school assignment are the district's to confirm.

What to look at next about Decatur SD 61

  1. Illinois districts by spending per studentDecatur SD 61 ranks 268 of 377 Illinois districts with at least 1,000 students in fall 2022 on current spending per student in fiscal year 2022-23 ($15,611).#268 of 377
  2. Every school district in IllinoisDecatur SD 61 is the number 29 by size of 865 Illinois districts, with 7,974 students in fall 2022 (F-33).#29 of 865
  3. J Sterling Morton High School District 201The next larger Illinois district: 8,134 students in fall 2022, $18,016 per student in fiscal year 2022-23.$18,016
  4. Glenbard Twp HSD 87The next smaller Illinois district: 7,836 students in fall 2022, $24,208 per student in fiscal year 2022-23.$24,208
  5. Compare Decatur SD 61 with J Sterling Morton High School District 201Enrollment, spending, revenue sources and schools, side by side.
  6. MacArthur High School, its largest high school1,059 students in 2024-25, 20.0 per teacher.1,059
  7. Find the school district for an addressA home's district decides which public schools it can enroll in.

Source: NCES F-33 finance survey, fiscal year 2022-23 (spending per student and fall 2022 membership; ranks among the state's districts that reported them); NCES Common Core of Data 2024-25 (schools).

Questions about Decatur SD 61

  1. How many schools and students are in Decatur SD 61?
    15 schools were open in 2024-25 (11 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high, 1 other), enrolling 7,840 students, according to the NCES Common Core of Data.
  2. How much does Decatur SD 61 spend per student?
    $15,611 per student on current operations in fiscal year 2022-23 (NCES F-33), which leaves out construction and debt; the Illinois median for districts with at least 1,000 students in fall 2022 is $18,127 and the U.S. figure is $16,260. Census Bureau figures for 2023-24 put it at $18,753 per student, up 20.1% on the year before (U.S. $17,619 that year).
  3. Where does Decatur SD 61's money come from?
    $150,415,000 in revenue in fiscal year 2022-23: 46.7% state, 37.8% local and 15.5% federal (NCES F-33).
  4. How many children in Decatur SD 61 live in poverty?
    The Census Bureau estimates that 2,648 of the 9,571 children aged 5 to 17 living within the district's boundaries in 2024, 27.7%, were in families in poverty (Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). It is a model-based estimate for everyone living in the district, not a count of its students; the free-meal shares in the school tables are counts of enrolled students.
  5. How do students in Decatur SD 61 do on state tests?
    In 2021-22, the students tested in Decatur SD 61 scored proficient or above: 6% in reading, against 29.9% in reading across Illinois. Illinois's own test sets what proficient means, so results compare within the state, not across states. Source: U.S. Department of Education, EDFacts state assessment results, 2021-22.
  6. What is the graduation rate in Decatur SD 61?
    73% of the 525 students in Decatur SD 61's class of 2023 graduated within four years, against 87.6% across Illinois. The four-year rate follows the students who started ninth grade in fall 2019, adjusted for those who moved in or out. Source: U.S. Department of Education, EDFacts four-year adjusted-cohort graduation rates, 2022-23.
  7. What is Decatur SD 61's NCES district ID?
    1711850. Each of its schools' 12-digit NCES IDs begins with these seven digits.

Reading these figures: how to choose a school district, what Title I means and what an absenteeism rate means. They are for information and are not a substitute for the school's or district's own records.

Sources

Every federal file behind this record
  • NCES Common Core of Data, 2024-25: directory, membership, staff and lunch files. nces.ed.gov
  • NCES Common Core of Data, 2021-22 school characteristics: Title I status. nces.ed.gov
  • Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021-22: AP courses, gifted programs, counselors, discipline. civilrightsdata.ed.gov
  • EDFacts, 2022-23: chronic absenteeism. ed.gov
  • EDFacts four-year adjusted-cohort graduation rates, 2022-23: the class of 2023 for the district and its state (ED Data Express). eddataexpress.ed.gov
  • EDFacts state assessment results, 2021-22: reading and math proficiency for the district and its state (ED Data Express). eddataexpress.ed.gov
  • U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024: children aged 5 to 17 and those in families in poverty, by school district. census.gov
  • U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances, fiscal year 2023-24: per pupil current spending for 2023-24 and 2022-23. census.gov
  • NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, fiscal year 2022-23: district spending and revenue. nces.ed.gov
  • U.S. Census Bureau geocoder and TIGER school districts: the district boundary used by the district finder. census.gov

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances Per pupil current spending by school system · FY 2023-24

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey Revenue and expenditures by district · FY 2022-23

Source: NCES Common Core of Data School directory, membership, staff and lunch files · 2024-25

Compiled from official source data by .