Parsons Elementary School (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2026)

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Parsons Elementary School

601 N Church St
Decatur, IL 62522

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Serving 488 students in grades Kindergarten-6, Parsons Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is ≤1% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving is 8% (which is lower than the Illinois state average of 30%).

The student-teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the Illinois state level of 13:1.

Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: Kindergarten-6
Enrollment: 488 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Minority Enrollment: 72%
: Bottom 50% in IL
: ≤1% (Btm 50%)
: 8% (Btm 50%)
: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="top-rankings">Top Rankings

Parsons Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:

Category

Attribute

Diversity

Most diverse schools (Top 20%)

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="overview">School Overview

Parsons Elementary School's student population of 488 students has grown by 49% over five school years.

The teacher population of 28 teachers has grown by 21% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-6

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Parsons Elementary School
Kind	71
1	76
2	81
3	81
4	61
5	54
6	64

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Total Students

488 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School
2023	462
2022	527
2021	326
2020	308
2019	308
2018	323
2017	323
2016	364
2015	341
2014	341
2013	360
2012	299
2011	294
2010	334
2009	305
2008	305
2007	281
2006	241
2005	248
2004	302
2003	336
2002	379
2001	364
2000	366
1999	369
1998	357
1997	344
1996	366
1995	370
1994	410
1993	414
1992	446
1991	431
1990	522
1989	417
1988	419
1987	435

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

28 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School
2023	29
2022	31
2020	16
2019	16
2018	23
2017	23
2016	17
2015	20
2014	16
2013	28
2012	14
2011	14
2010	16
2009	14
2008	15
2007	14
2006	13
2005	16
2004	16
2003	17
2002	18
2001	19
2000	20
1999	18
1998	20
1997	18
1996	20
1995	20
1994	21
1993	20
1992	21
1991	20
1990	22

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="school-rankings">School Rankings

Parsons Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,542 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Parsons Elementary School is 0.68, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (IL)

#3443 out of 3542 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School
2023	#3443
2022	#3138
2021	#3437
2019	#3300
2018	#3187
2017	#3118
2016	#2961
2015	#3246
2014	#2829
2013	#3254
2012	#3061

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≤1%

27%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2023	1%	27%	4%
2021	5%	28%	3%
2019	7%	33%	7%
2018	7%	32%	8%
2017	7%	32%	8%
2016	12%	31%	8%
2015	7%	29%	9%
2014	42%	59%	39%
2013	32%	58%	38%
2012	62%	80%	68%
2011	72%	80%	73%

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30%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2022	8%	30%	6%
2021	5%	32%	6%
2019	12%	38%	12%
2018	17%	37%	8%
2017	22%	38%	15%
2016	17%	36%	15%
2015	12%	38%	17%
2014	37%	57%	39%
2013	37%	58%	42%
2012	57%	75%	62%
2011	72%	75%	67%

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20-24%

50%

Student-Teacher Ratio

17:1

13:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2023	16:1	14:1	20:1
2022	17:1	14:1	20:1
2020	19:1	15:1	20:1
2019	19:1	15:1	20:1
2018	14:1	16:1	20:1
2017	14:1	15:1	20:1
2016	21:1	16:1	22:1
2015	17:1	16:1	18:1
2014	21:1	16:1	21:1
2013	13:1	13:1	12:1
2012	21:1	16:1	21:1
2011	20:1	16:1	20:1
2010	21:1	16:1	19:1
2009	22:1	16:1	20:1
2008	20:1	18:1	21:1
2007	20:1	17:1	19:1
2006	19:1	16:1	21:1
2005	16:1	16:1	21:1
2004	19:1	17:1	23:1
2003	20:1	16:1	22:1
2002	21:1	16:1	23:1
2001	19:1	16:1	20:1
2000	18:1	16:1	20:1
1999	21:1	16:1	21:1
1998	18:1	17:1	21:1
1997	19:1	17:1	21:1
1996	18:1	17:1	21:1
1995	19:1	17:1	21:1
1994	20:1	18:1	22:1
1993	21:1	18:1	23:1
1992	22:1	17:1	22:1
1991	22:1	17:1	23:1
1990	24:1	18:1	22:1

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American Indian

n/a

Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2022)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2022	1%	5%	1%
2021	1%	5%	2%
2016	1%	5%	1%
2014	1%	5%	1%
2013	1%	5%	1%
2012	2%	4%	1%
2011	1%	5%	2%
2010	3%	5%	3%
2009	3%	5%	3%
2008	3%	5%	3%
2006	3%	5%	2%
2005	4%	5%	2%
2003	1%	4%	1%
2002	1%	4%	1%
2000	1%	3%	1%
1999	1%	3%	1%
1998	1%	3%	1%
1997	1%	3%
1996	2%	3%
1989	1%	3%	1%
1988	1%	2%

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Hispanic

28%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2000-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2023	4%	27%	5%
2022	2%	27%	4%
2021	4%	27%	4%
2020	4%	26%	5%
2019	4%	26%	5%
2018	4%	26%	3%
2017	4%	26%	3%
2016	4%	26%	3%
2015	3%	25%	4%
2014	2%	25%	3%
2013	3%	24%	3%
2012	3%	24%	3%
2011	3%	23%	2%
2010	4%	22%	4%
2009	5%	22%	4%
2008	5%	21%	4%
2007	5%	20%	4%
2006	5%	19%	3%
2003	1%	17%	1%
2002	1%	16%	1%
2000	1%	15%	1%

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Black

45%

17%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2023	49%	17%	50%
2022	45%	17%	49%
2021	41%	17%	48%
2020	31%	17%	47%
2019	31%	17%	47%
2018	31%	17%	47%
2017	31%	17%	47%
2016	36%	17%	46%
2015	37%	17%	45%
2014	35%	17%	45%
2013	37%	18%	45%
2012	43%	18%	45%
2011	39%	18%	45%
2010	45%	20%	47%
2009	42%	20%	47%
2008	42%	20%	46%
2007	44%	20%	45%
2006	43%	20%	46%
2005	49%	20%	44%
2004	58%	21%	46%
2003	54%	21%	45%
2002	46%	21%	44%
2001	46%	21%	42%
2000	40%	21%	41%
1999	43%	21%	40%
1998	41%	21%	38%
1997	42%	20%	38%
1996	41%	21%	37%
1995	40%	20%	36%
1994	39%	21%	35%
1993	35%	21%	33%
1992	35%	21%	32%
1991	33%	21%	32%

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White

28%

45%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2023	27%	45%	32%
2022	31%	47%	33%
2021	35%	47%	34%
2020	45%	48%	37%
2019	45%	48%	37%
2018	50%	49%	39%
2017	50%	49%	39%
2016	48%	49%	39%
2015	48%	49%	39%
2014	50%	50%	40%
2013	51%	50%	41%
2012	44%	51%	42%
2011	46%	51%	42%
2010	48%	53%	46%
2009	46%	53%	46%
2008	45%	54%	47%
2007	45%	55%	48%
2006	48%	56%	49%
2005	47%	57%	51%
2004	42%	57%	52%
2003	44%	58%	53%
2002	52%	59%	54%
2001	54%	60%	56%
2000	58%	61%	57%
1999	56%	62%	58%
1998	58%	63%	60%
1997	57%	64%	62%
1996	57%	64%	63%
1995	59%	65%	63%
1994	61%	65%	64%
1993	65%	65%	66%
1992	65%	66%	67%
1991	67%	66%	67%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

20%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2023	20%	4%	12%
2022	21%	4%	13%
2021	18%	4%	12%
2020	18%	4%	11%
2019	18%	4%	11%
2018	15%	3%	11%
2017	15%	3%	11%
2016	11%	3%	11%
2015	12%	3%	10%
2014	11%	3%	11%
2013	7%	3%	10%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.68

0.69

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2023	0.65	0.70	0.63
2022	0.66	0.68	0.64
2021	0.68	0.68	0.64
2020	0.67	0.68	0.63
2019	0.67	0.68	0.63
2018	0.64	0.67	0.62
2017	0.64	0.67	0.62
2016	0.63	0.67	0.63
2015	0.62	0.67	0.61
2014	0.62	0.66	0.63
2013	0.61	0.66	0.63
2012	0.62	0.65	0.62
2011	0.64	0.66	0.62
2010	0.60	0.64	0.54
2009	0.64	0.64	0.54
2008	0.65	0.64	0.55
2007	0.63	0.63	0.54
2006	0.62	0.61	0.54
2005	0.58	0.61	0.53
2004	0.49	0.60	0.53
2003	0.52	0.59	0.52
2002	0.52	0.59	0.52
2001	0.50	0.58	0.51
2000	0.51	0.57	0.51
1999	0.51	0.56	0.50
1998	0.50	0.56	0.50
1997	0.50	0.54	0.49
1996	0.51	0.53	0.48
1995	0.50	0.53	0.47
1994	0.48	0.52	0.47
1993	0.46	0.52	0.46
1992	0.47	0.52	0.45
1991	0.45	0.52	0.45

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Eligible for

35%

43%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2002-2023)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2023	37%	43%	51%
2022	32%	43%	50%
2021	52%	44%	51%
2020	70%	47%	68%
2019	70%	47%	68%
2018	52%	46%	55%
2017	52%	46%	55%
2016	75%	47%	71%
2015	81%	52%	74%
2014	82%	47%	74%
2013	75%	45%	70%
2012	48%	21%	37%
2011	78%	39%	62%
2008	78%	32%	59%
2006	66%	32%	57%
2005	63%	32%	54%
2004	63%	31%	53%
2003	64%	30%	48%
2002	68%	30%	51%

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Eligible for (15-16)

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2002-2016)
Year	Parsons Elementary School	Illinois	Decatur School District 61
2016	1%	3%	2%
2014	2%	3%	2%
2013	5%	5%	2%
2012	34%	27%	28%
2011	5%	5%	6%
2008	6%	6%	9%
2006	4%	6%	7%
2005	5%	5%	7%
2004	2%	5%	7%
2003	5%	5%	8%
2002	12%	5%	7%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Decatur School District 61

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked Questions

What is Parsons Elementary School's ranking?

Parsons Elementary School is ranked #3443 out of 3,542 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Illinois.

What schools are Parsons Elementary School often compared to?

Parsons Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Franklin Grove Elementary School, Dennis Lab School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

≤1% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% IL state average), while 8% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).

How many students attend Parsons Elementary School?

488 students attend Parsons Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

45% of Parsons Elementary School students are Black, 28% of students are White, 20% of students are Two or more races, 6% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are American Indian.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Parsons Elementary School?

Parsons Elementary School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 13:1.

What grades does Parsons Elementary School offer ?

Parsons Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-6

What school district is Parsons Elementary School part of?

Parsons Elementary School is part of Decatur School District 61.

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Quick Facts (2026)

Grades: Kindergarten-6
Enrollment: 488 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Minority Enrollment: 72%
: Bottom 50%
: ≤1% (Btm 50%)
: 8% (Btm 50%)
: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education