High Schools in Decatur School District 61

The Decatur School District 61 in Illinois is home to two high schools: MacArthur High School and Eisenhower High School. Both schools are performing well below state averages on key metrics, indicating significant challenges in providing a quality education for their students.

Neither school stands out as a top performer, with both being ranked in the bottom half of Illinois high schools and receiving a 1 out of 5 star rating from SchoolDigger. Graduation rates at the schools are low, with MacArthur High School at 78.3% and Eisenhower High School at 68.7%, compared to the state average. Dropout rates are also higher than the state average, and chronic absenteeism is a major issue, with rates exceeding 50% at both schools.

Academically, the schools struggle, with significantly lower proficiency rates in mathematics, English language arts, and science compared to state averages. The high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, over 65% at both schools, suggests the district serves a predominantly low-income population, which may contribute to the challenges. Despite the relatively high per-student spending in the district, the data indicates that systemic issues or resource allocation challenges need to be addressed to improve the academic outcomes and overall school climate for students in the Decatur School District 61.