Stephen Decatur Elementary School

Summary:

Stephen Decatur Elementary School is a public elementary school in Indianapolis, Indiana, serving 448 students in grades K-6. The school is part of the MSD Decatur Township school district, which is ranked 280 out of 381 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Stephen Decatur Elementary has a higher percentage of White students (60.04%) compared to nearby schools, it consistently underperforms academically. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 16.97% of 3rd-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 23.51% for the district and 38.6% for the state. The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 30.9% and a very high percentage of students (81.92%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

When compared to other schools in the same district, such as Valley Mills Elementary and Gold Academy, Stephen Decatur Elementary's academic performance is consistently lower, with lower proficiency rates in both ELA and Math. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Indiana elementary schools, and its spending per student has increased over the years, reaching $10,759 in the 2021-2022 school year, but this has not translated into improved academic outcomes.


Detail:

Public K-6

 3425 S Foltz St
       Indianapolis, IN  46221


(317) 241-0183

District: MSD Decatur Township

SchoolDigger Rank:
874th of 1,010 Indiana Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,759 Help


Students who attend Stephen Decatur Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Decatur Middle School
High:    Decatur Central High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.5 Help
Number of students:  448

Racial breakdown:

White:
60.0%
Hispanic:
20.8%
African American:
10.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  81.9% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Stephen Decatur Elementary School ranks worse than 86.5% of elementary schools in Indiana. It also ranks 5th among 6 ranked elementary schools in the MSD Decatur Township School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 14.42. (See more...)
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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
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Compare Details Stephen Decatur Elementary School has the smallest elementary school student body size in the MSD Decatur Township School District. Racial makeup is: White (60%), Hispanic (20.8%), African American (10.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 81.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the MSD Decatur Township School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Stephen Decatur Elementary School is 15.5, which is the 2nd best among 6 elementary schools in the MSD Decatur Township School District. (See more...)
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Compare Stephen Decatur Elementary School employs 28.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Stephen Decatur Elementary School is $10,759, which is the highest among 6 elementary schools in the MSD Decatur Township School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Stephen Decatur Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

MSD Decatur Township:

SchoolDigger ranks MSD Decatur Township 279th of 381 Indiana school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Stephen Decatur Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IN State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 41.30 657th 959 31.5%
2006 38.35 680th 961 29.2%
2007 51.94 560th 985 43.1%
2008 37.44 740th 996 25.7%
2009 44.68 663rd 1003 33.9%
2010 52.73 572nd 1009 43.3%
2011 50.54 620th 1025 39.5%
2012 36.14 761st 1015 25.0%
2013 45.23 679th 1035 34.4%
2014 34.05 814th 1036 21.4%
2015 30.77 804th 1040 22.7%
2016 26.36 848th 1046 18.9%
2017 21.74 866th 1033 16.2%
2018 12.96 915th 1027 10.9%
2019 16.76 887th 1031 14.0%
2021 16.10 844th 1016 16.9%
2022 15.70 860th 1020 15.7%
2023 17.47 843rd 1016 17.0%
2024 14.42 874th 1010 13.5%
See the entire list of Indiana Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Indiana Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Stephen Decatur Elementary School Test Scores
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Data source: Indiana Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

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0%

  

Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Stephen Decatur Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 609 122 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 733
1989 640 110 3 6 0 n/a n/a 0 759
1990 651 131 3 7 0 n/a n/a 0 792
1991 624 111 1 10 0 n/a n/a 0 746
1992 513 99 2 7 2 n/a n/a 0 623
1993 534 67 2 6 0 n/a n/a 0 609
1994 508 91 1 5 0 n/a n/a 0 605
1995 480 79 4 6 1 n/a n/a 13 583
1996 480 79 4 6 1 n/a n/a 13 583
1997 530 96 4 7 0 n/a n/a 9 646
1998 527 105 5 3 4 n/a n/a 0 644
1999 471 99 4 8 0 n/a n/a 0 582
2000 471 89 3 6 0 n/a n/a 0 569
2001 504 77 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 588
2002 441 63 2 13 0 n/a n/a 0 519
2003 441 63 2 13 0 n/a n/a 0 519
2004 448 75 1 21 0 n/a n/a 0 545
2005 455 68 2 18 0 n/a n/a 0 543
2006 356 31 3 29 1 n/a n/a 0 420
2007 350 25 3 31 0 n/a n/a 20 429
2008 368 26 3 36 0 n/a n/a 17 450
2009 349 12 1 32 0 n/a n/a 18 412
2010 333 13 2 30 0 n/a n/a 27 405
2011 351 18 2 47 0 0 25 0 443
2012 407 30 1 55 0 0 20 0 513
2013 400 35 2 70 1 0 32 0 540
2014 384 42 2 62 1 0 30 0 521
2015 359 38 3 76 0 0 31 0 507
2016 343 61 3 84 0 2 42 0 535
2017 348 73 1 65 0 0 35 0 522
2018 319 82 2 68 0 0 35 0 506
2019 299 75 6 65 2 2 32 0 481
2020 270 76 5 70 1 1 40 0 463
2021 270 82 3 75 2 1 27 0 460
2022 271 76 2 82 2 1 27 0 461
2023 269 48 2 93 0 0 36 0 448

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 Stephen Decatur Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 733 37.0 19.8 29.1
1989 759 37.0 20.5 26.7
1990 792 38.5 20.5 30.8
1991 746 37.0 20.1 29
1992 623 29.0 21.4 34.2
1993 609 27.0 22.6 44
1994 605 28.0 21.6 37.7
1995 583 27.0 21.6 40.9
1996 583 27.0 21.6 40.9
1997 646 27.5 23.5 42.5
1998 644 28.0 23.0 44.1
1999 582 27.0 21.6 56.4
2000 569 33.0 17.2 52
2001 588 36.0 16.3 51.4
2002 519 32.0 16.2 52.2
2003 519 32.0 16.2 52.2
2004 545 30.5 17.9 56.5
2005 543 30.5 17.8 60.6
2006 420 25.0 16.8 56.4
2007 429 n/a n/a 66.5
2008 450 23.2 19.4 66.1
2009 412 21.4 19.3 66.8
2010 405 22.5 18.0 68.5
2011 443 25.2 17.5 74
2012 513 27.0 19.0 69.8
2013 540 27.0 20.0 74.3
2014 521 27.0 19.2 76.2
2015 507 30.0 16.9 76.9
2016 535 31.0 17.2 80.9
2017 522 29.0 18.0 76.8
2018 506 27.0 18.7 74.5
2019 481 29.0 16.5 77.8
2020 463 29.0 15.9 80.1
2021 460 27.0 16.9 73.7
2022 461 32.1 14.3 65.1
2023 448 28.7 15.5 81.9

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 Stephen Decatur Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 733 37.0 19.8 29.1
1989 759 37.0 20.5 26.7
1990 792 38.5 20.5 30.8
1991 746 37.0 20.1 29
1992 623 29.0 21.4 34.2
1993 609 27.0 22.6 44
1994 605 28.0 21.6 37.7
1995 583 27.0 21.6 40.9
1996 583 27.0 21.6 40.9
1997 646 27.5 23.5 42.5
1998 644 28.0 23.0 44.1
1999 582 27.0 21.6 56.4
2000 569 33.0 17.2 52
2001 588 36.0 16.3 51.4
2002 519 32.0 16.2 52.2
2003 519 32.0 16.2 52.2
2004 545 30.5 17.9 56.5
2005 543 30.5 17.8 60.6
2006 420 25.0 16.8 56.4
2007 429 n/a n/a 66.5
2008 450 23.2 19.4 66.1
2009 412 21.4 19.3 66.8
2010 405 22.5 18.0 68.5
2011 443 25.2 17.5 74
2012 513 27.0 19.0 69.8
2013 540 27.0 20.0 74.3
2014 521 27.0 19.2 76.2
2015 507 30.0 16.9 76.9
2016 535 31.0 17.2 80.9
2017 522 29.0 18.0 76.8
2018 506 27.0 18.7 74.5
2019 481 29.0 16.5 77.8
2020 463 29.0 15.9 80.1
2021 460 27.0 16.9 73.7
2022 461 32.1 14.3 65.1
2023 448 28.7 15.5 81.9

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.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Stephen Decatur Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $772 (8.0%) $8,936 (92.0%) $9,708
2020 $1,326 (12.6%) $9,201 (87.4%) $10,528
2021 $1,338 (13.3%) $8,744 (86.7%) $10,082
2022 $1,628 (15.1%) $9,130 (84.9%) $10,759

Data source: Indiana Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Stephen Decatur Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 887th of 1031 Elementary schoolsRanks 843rd of 1016 Elementary schools
 3.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)2518.5
 6.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (MSD Decatur Township)3019.7
 10.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)46.339.7
 6.6%
3rd Grade Math (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)28.920
 8.9%
   3rd Grade Math (MSD Decatur Township)41.429.7
 11.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Indiana)58.753.1
 5.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)28.623.3
 5.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (MSD Decatur Township)33.222.4
 10.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)45.840.3
 5.5%
4th Grade Math (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)45.728.3
 17.4%
   4th Grade Math (MSD Decatur Township)43.230
 13.2%
   4th Grade Math (Indiana)5448.8
 5.2%
4th Grade Science (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)21.415
 6.4%
   4th Grade Science (MSD Decatur Township)32.414.4
 18.1%
   4th Grade Science (Indiana)46.337
 9.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)22.412.2
 10.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (MSD Decatur Township)27.423.5
 3.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.540.2
 7.3%
5th Grade Math (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)35.88.2
 27.6%
   5th Grade Math (MSD Decatur Township)29.719.7
 10%
   5th Grade Math (Indiana)47.841.1
 6.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)13.410.2
 3.2%
   5th Grade Social Studies (MSD Decatur Township)21.220.9
 0.3%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Indiana)4639.1
 6.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)29.729.7
 0%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (MSD Decatur Township)3132.2
 1.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Indiana)47.840.8
 7%
6th Grade Math (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)2317.2
 5.8%
   6th Grade Math (MSD Decatur Township)3125.7
 5.4%
   6th Grade Math (Indiana)46.438.3
 8.1%
6th Grade Science (Stephen Decatur Elementary School)18.917.2
 1.7%
   6th Grade Science (MSD Decatur Township)27.619.9
 7.7%
   6th Grade Science (Indiana)48.638.2
 10.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students481448
 6.9%
African American7548
 36%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian62
 66.7%
Hispanic6593
 43.1%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White299269
 10%
Two or More Races3236
 12.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients77.8%81.9%
 4.2%


Schools Near Stephen Decatur Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Stephen Decatur Elementary School

Students who attend Stephen Decatur Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Decatur Middle School
High : Decatur Central High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 448 students attended Stephen Decatur Elementary School.

Students at Stephen Decatur Elementary School are 60% White, 21% Hispanic, 11% African American, 8% Two or more races.

Stephen Decatur Elementary School ranks in the bottom 13.5% of Indiana elementary schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Indiana Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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