Is Decatur Classical Elementary School a good school?

Yes! Decatur Classical Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 7 th of 2067 Illinois elementary schools.

How many students attend Decatur Classical Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 323 students attended Decatur Classical Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Decatur Classical Elementary School?

Students at Decatur Classical Elementary School are 45% White, 28% Asian, 14% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 4% African American.

Decatur Classical Elementary School

Summary:

Decatur Classical Elementary School is a public K-8 school in Chicago, Illinois, with a total enrollment of 323 students. This exceptional school consistently ranks among the top 10 elementary schools in the state, outperforming both the district and state averages in English Language Arts and Mathematics.

Decatur Classical's academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with 90.4% of students proficient or better in ELA, compared to just 30.5% for the Chicago Public Schools District 299 and 41.2% for the state. The school's success extends to various student subgroups, including female students, Asian students, and students with special needs, where Decatur Classical ranks among the top 10 in Illinois. Additionally, the school maintains low chronic absenteeism rates and higher per-student spending compared to the district average.

When compared to nearby schools within the Chicago Public Schools District 299, such as Mosaic School of Fine Arts, Rogers Elementary School, and West Ridge Elementary School, Decatur Classical's performance is significantly higher. However, when compared to schools outside the district, such as Dawes Elementary School in Evanston and Rutledge Hall Elementary School in Lincolnwood, Decatur Classical's performance is more comparable, with some schools even outperforming it in certain subject areas.

Detail:

Public K-8

7030 N Sacramento Ave
Chicago, IL 60645-2848

(773) 534-2201

District: Chicago Public Schools District 299

SchoolDigger Rank:
7^th of 2,067 Illinois Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,841

Student/teacher ratio: 15.3

Number of students: 323

Racial breakdown:

White:

45.2%

Asian:

27.6%

Hispanic:

13.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 14.9%

See top rated Illinois elementary schools

Compare Decatur Classical Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Decatur Classical Elementary School ranks better than 99.7% of elementary schools in Illinois. It also ranks 5^th among 452 ranked elementary schools in the Chicago Public Schools District 299. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 99.51. (See more...)

Compare Details Decatur Classical Elementary School ranks better than 99.7% of middle schools in Illinois. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 99.39. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Decatur Classical Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Chicago Public Schools District 299. (See more...)

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Teachers

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Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Decatur Classical Elementary School is $17,841. 371 elementary schools in the Chicago Public Schools District 299 spend more per student.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Decatur Classical Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Decatur Classical Elementary School 7^th of 2067 Illinois public elementary schools. (See Decatur Classical Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Special Education students:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Decatur Classical Elementary School 4^th of 1363 Illinois public middle schools. (See Decatur Classical Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

Chicago Public Schools District 299:

SchoolDigger ranks Chicago Public Schools District 299 688^th of 813 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Decatur Classical Elementary School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2003	93.25	3^rd	2020	99.9%
2004	93.40	2^nd	2030	99.9%
2005	92.63	3^rd	2022	99.9%
2006	91.10	2^nd	2086	99.9%
2007	89.87	5^th	2095	99.8%
2008	90.14	7^th	2092	99.7%
2009	91.54	2^nd	2120	99.9%
2010	91.24	1^st	2139	100.0%
2011	91.14	1^st	2147	100.0%
2012	91.01	2^nd	2166	99.9%
2013	97.46	3^rd	2167	99.9%
2014	97.22	3^rd	2093	99.9%
2015	99.83	5^th	2052	99.8%
2016	99.68	2^nd	2046	99.9%
2017	99.80	1^st	2044	100.0%
2018	99.63	2^nd	2037	99.9%
2019	99.66	2^nd	2086	99.9%
2021	99.68	4^th	1948	99.8%
2022	99.59	3^rd	2082	99.9%
2023	99.63	4^th	2077	99.8%
2024	99.51	7^th	2067	99.7%

See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2023	99.96	2^nd	1156	99.8%
2024	99.98	2^nd	1195	99.8%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	99.45	2^nd	1964	99.9%
2019	99.47	2^nd	2019	99.9%
2021	98.81	9^th	1680	99.5%
2022	99.67	1^st	1970	99.9%
2023	99.60	2^nd	1957	99.9%
2024	99.31	6^th	1942	99.7%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	99.41	4^th	1972	99.8%
2019	99.49	4^th	2019	99.8%
2021	99.43	9^th	1707	99.5%
2022	98.89	11^th	1977	99.4%
2023	99.28	6^th	1984	99.7%
2024	99.31	7^th	1959	99.6%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school Asian students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	88.03	10^th	242	95.9%
2019	93.35	1^st	243	99.6%
2022	90.30	8^th	226	96.5%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	IL State Percentile
2018	99.05	2^nd	1463	99.9%
2019	99.34	1^st	1462	99.9%
2021	98.67	3^rd	1308	99.8%
2022	97.70	7^th	1425	99.5%
2023	98.30	6^th	1419	99.6%
2024	97.81	8^th	1392	99.4%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Illinois State Board of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Decatur Classical Elementary School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2021	99.92	3^rd	1241	99.8%
2022	99.81	1^st	1369	99.9%
2023	99.76	1^st	1367	99.9%
2024	99.39	4^th	1363	99.7%

See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2022	99.67	2^nd	1286	99.8%
2023	99.37	3^rd	1275	99.8%
2024	99.08	1^st	1251	99.9%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2021	99.90	5^th	1048	99.5%
2022	99.81	2^nd	1286	99.8%
2023	99.80	2^nd	1292	99.8%
2024	99.45	8^th	1264	99.4%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Asian students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2022	90.08	10^th	198	94.9%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Decatur Classical Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	IL State Percentile
2021	99.90	1^st	813	99.9%
2022	99.33	2^nd	898	99.8%
2023	99.28	1^st	895	99.9%
2024	97.86	4^th	875	99.5%

See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Illinois State Board of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.2)

80%

20%

Reviews:

by a parent
Saturday, March 18, 2023

Lower quality of teaching in upper grades, high level of attrition, poor leadership as of 2020. Unresponsive leadership. Very disappointed with the drop of instruction. Kids generally perform well but it is because of parents, not teachers or the school. Close Quote

by a student
Friday, January 8, 2010

Decatur is the best school in the nation, in my opinion. I'm a sixth grade new student attending this glorious school!!! When I first walked in the doors I knew I was going to be welcomed right away, and I was. The best parts about Decatur is the special hospitality that you wouldn't always get at other schools and the academics!!! I came to Decatur searching for a challenge and they sure gave it to me. I'm so astonished by the awesome Social Studies curriculum here. Now Social Studies is my favorite subject next to Language Arts. Another good thing is that the activities are fun and challenging and not boring and simple! Everyone at Decatur has awesome personalities!!! Parents, you will not regret letting your child enter this miraculous school!!!!! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Decatur Classical Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	86	40	66	20	2	n/a	n/a	0	214
1989	91	47	70	24	5	n/a	n/a	0	237
1990	83	56	77	24	7	n/a	n/a	0	247
1991	78	57	73	33	9	n/a	n/a	0	250
1992	103	59	99	40	8	n/a	n/a	0	309
1993	88	62	85	50	8	n/a	n/a	0	293
1994	83	68	66	51	8	n/a	n/a	0	276
1995	92	67	51	54	6	n/a	n/a	0	270
1996	92	67	51	54	6	n/a	n/a	0	270
1997	97	61	52	45	6	n/a	n/a	0	261
1998	101	61	51	49	5	n/a	n/a	0	267
1999	105	65	47	51	7	n/a	n/a	0	275
2000	118	53	52	43	5	n/a	n/a	0	271
2001	117	61	49	45	7	n/a	n/a	0	279
2002	114	59	50	39	6	n/a	n/a	0	268
2003	114	59	50	39	6	n/a	n/a	0	268
2004	89	52	54	47	7	n/a	n/a	0	249
2005	90	58	63	48	7	n/a	n/a	0	266
2006	83	51	61	48	4	n/a	n/a	3	250
2007	100	52	63	45	4	n/a	n/a	2	266
2008	113	38	52	26	2	n/a	n/a	35	266
2009	117	46	72	40	0	n/a	n/a	0	275
2010	117	46	82	42	1	n/a	n/a	0	288
2011	112	27	67	47	0	0	30	0	283
2012	116	23	67	50	0	0	33	0	289
2013	109	21	69	52	1	0	28	0	280
2014	119	16	79	40	1	1	30	0	286
2015	125	20	77	36	1	1	29	0	289
2016	121	14	90	30	1	0	25	0	281
2017	124	12	97	37	0	1	21	0	292
2018	129	12	88	35	0	1	16	0	281
2019	124	12	88	42	0	1	17	0	284
2020	124	13	87	35	0	1	22	0	282
2021	128	15	85	36	0	1	22	0	287
2022	141	15	93	37	1	0	24	0	311
2023	146	14	89	45	1	0	27	1	323

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Decatur Classical Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	214	12.0	17.8	n/a
1989	237	12.0	19.7	n/a
1990	247	14.0	17.6	n/a
1991	250	13.0	19.2	n/a
1992	309	15.0	20.6	n/a
1993	293	16.0	18.3	n/a
1994	276	15.0	18.4	n/a
1995	270	14.0	19.3	n/a
1996	270	14.0	19.3	n/a
1997	261	14.0	18.6	n/a
1998	267	14.0	19.1	n/a
1999	275	14.0	19.6	n/a
2000	271	15.0	18.1	n/a
2001	279	15.0	18.6	n/a
2002	268	13.0	20.6	10.1
2003	268	13.0	20.6	10.1
2004	249	11.4	21.8	14.9
2005	266	14.0	19.0	14.3
2006	250	16.0	15.6	15
2007	266	13.0	20.5	11.4
2008	266	16.0	16.6	17.3
2009	275	15.5	17.7	14.9
2010	288	15.0	19.2	17.4
2011	283	16.0	17.6	15.9
2012	289	15.0	19.2	17
2013	280	19.5	14.3	12.9
2014	286	15.1	18.9	12.6
2015	289	16.0	18.0	15.9
2016	281	16.0	17.5	12.1
2017	292	14.6	19.8	16.1
2018	281	14.0	19.9	15.3
2019	284	17.0	16.7	15.5
2020	282	18.0	15.6	14.9
2021	287	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	311	20.0	15.5	11.9
2023	323	21.0	15.3	14.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Decatur Classical Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	214	12.0	17.8	n/a
1989	237	12.0	19.7	n/a
1990	247	14.0	17.6	n/a
1991	250	13.0	19.2	n/a
1992	309	15.0	20.6	n/a
1993	293	16.0	18.3	n/a
1994	276	15.0	18.4	n/a
1995	270	14.0	19.3	n/a
1996	270	14.0	19.3	n/a
1997	261	14.0	18.6	n/a
1998	267	14.0	19.1	n/a
1999	275	14.0	19.6	n/a
2000	271	15.0	18.1	n/a
2001	279	15.0	18.6	n/a
2002	268	13.0	20.6	10.1
2003	268	13.0	20.6	10.1
2004	249	11.4	21.8	14.9
2005	266	14.0	19.0	14.3
2006	250	16.0	15.6	15
2007	266	13.0	20.5	11.4
2008	266	16.0	16.6	17.3
2009	275	15.5	17.7	14.9
2010	288	15.0	19.2	17.4
2011	283	16.0	17.6	15.9
2012	289	15.0	19.2	17
2013	280	19.5	14.3	12.9
2014	286	15.1	18.9	12.6
2015	289	16.0	18.0	15.9
2016	281	16.0	17.5	12.1
2017	292	14.6	19.8	16.1
2018	281	14.0	19.9	15.3
2019	284	17.0	16.7	15.5
2020	282	18.0	15.6	14.9
2021	287	n/a	n/a	n/a
2022	311	20.0	15.5	11.9
2023	323	21.0	15.3	14.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

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