Parsons Elementary School

Summary:

Parsons Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 462 students in grades K-6 in Decatur, Illinois, which is part of the Decatur School District 61. The school faces significant challenges, including consistently low academic performance, high chronic absenteeism, and a high-poverty student population.

Parsons Elementary consistently performs well below state and district averages on standardized tests, with proficiency rates ranging from just 3.3% to 7.7% in English Language Arts and 0% to 3.6% in Mathematics, compared to state averages of 28.8% to 35.4% and 23.4% to 33%, respectively. The school's 5th-grade students also scored only 13.3% proficient or better on the Illinois Science Assessment, far below the state average of 52.4%. Additionally, Parsons Elementary has struggled with high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching as high as 56.1% in the 2020-2021 school year, which is significantly higher than the state average.

When comparing Parsons Elementary to other nearby schools in the Decatur School District 61, such as American Dreamer STEM Academy, South Shores Elementary School, and Franklin Grove Elementary School, it becomes clear that the challenges faced by Parsons are not unique to the school, as several other schools in the district also struggle with low academic performance and high percentages of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.


Detail:

Public K-6

 601 N Church St
       Decatur, IL  62522-2107


(217) 362-3330

District: Decatur School District 61

SchoolDigger Rank:
1995th of 2,077 Illinois Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,177 Help


Students who attend Parsons Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Stephen Decatur Middle School
High:    Eisenhower High School
    MacArthur High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.9 Help
Number of students:  462

Racial breakdown:

African American:
49.1%
White:
27.3%
Two or more races:
19.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  79.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Parsons Elementary School ranks worse than 96.1% of elementary schools in Illinois. It also ranks 5th among 11 ranked elementary schools in the Decatur School District 61. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.16. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high 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 Student population at Parsons Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (49.1%), White (27.3%), two or more races (19.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 79.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Parsons Elementary School is 15.9, which is the 2nd best among 11 elementary schools in the Decatur School District 61. (See more...)
Help
Compare Parsons Elementary School employs 29 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Parsons Elementary School is $16,177. 5 elementary schools in the Decatur School District 61 spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Parsons Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Parsons Elementary School 1995th of 2077 Illinois public elementary schools. (See Parsons Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
African American students:
White students:


Decatur School District 61:

SchoolDigger ranks Decatur School District 61 816th of 823 Illinois school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Parsons Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Parsons Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 33.62 1493rd 2020 26.1%
2004 14.12 1776th 2030 12.5%
2005 31.38 1558th 2022 22.9%
2006 21.28 1774th 2086 15.0%
2007 10.66 1913th 2095 8.7%
2008 20.78 1764th 2092 15.7%
2009 10.34 1942nd 2120 8.4%
2010 21.69 1795th 2139 16.1%
2011 30.78 1630th 2147 24.1%
2012 8.36 2053rd 2166 5.2%
2013 12.66 1967th 2167 9.2%
2014 18.80 1785th 2093 14.7%
2015 13.78 1883rd 2052 8.2%
2016 17.40 1775th 2046 13.2%
2017 23.73 1580th 2044 22.7%
2018 17.45 1739th 2037 14.6%
2019 19.24 1753rd 2086 16.0%
2021 14.13 1805th 1948 7.3%
2022 14.29 1899th 2082 8.8%
2023 11.16 1995th 2077 3.9%
See the entire list of Illinois Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Parsons Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 18.98 35th 40 12.5%
2022 16.78 86th 95 9.5%
2023 15.30 85th 93 8.6%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Parsons Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 25.65 970th 1194 18.8%
2022 25.54 898th 1113 19.3%
2023 20.99 1029th 1156 11.0%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Parsons Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.18 1578th 1765 10.6%
2019 28.43 1420th 1816 21.8%
2021 18.96 1413th 1514 6.7%
2022 21.89 1517th 1763 14.0%
2023 15.45 1734th 1808 4.1%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Parsons Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.95 1794th 1964 8.7%
2019 14.71 1825th 2019 9.6%
2021 12.85 1587th 1680 5.5%
2022 15.94 1739th 1970 11.7%
2023 12.59 1851st 1957 5.4%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Parsons Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 29.17 659th 907 27.3%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Parsons Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.20 1521st 1972 22.9%
2019 24.19 1556th 2019 22.9%
2021 14.25 1593rd 1707 6.7%
2022 14.24 1832nd 1977 7.3%
2023 11.56 1910th 1984 3.7%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Parsons Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.98 579th 698 17.0%
2019 20.94 661st 711 7.0%
2021 34.68 268th 428 37.4%
2022 22.41 652nd 684 4.7%
2023 19.54 674th 692 2.6%
See the entire list of Best Illinois Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for White students at Parsons Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools IL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.46 1362nd 1463 6.9%
2019 3.46 1453rd 1462 0.6%
2021 4.29 1307th 1308 0.1%
2022 7.08 1393rd 1425 2.2%
2023 4.21 1409th 1419 0.7%
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.

Parsons Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Illinois State Board of Education

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Enrollment information for Parsons Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 347 65 4 3 n/a n/a n/a 0 419
1989 345 67 4 1 n/a n/a n/a 0 417
1990 370 151 n/a 1 n/a n/a n/a 0 522
1991 287 144 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 431
1992 292 153 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 446
1993 268 145 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 414
1994 250 159 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 410
1995 209 149 7 1 0 n/a n/a 0 366
1996 209 149 7 1 0 n/a n/a 0 366
1997 197 145 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 344
1998 207 147 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 357
1999 205 160 2 1 1 n/a n/a 0 369
2000 215 147 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 366
2001 195 167 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 364
2002 152 180 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 336
2003 152 180 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 336
2004 126 176 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 302
2005 112 116 4 0 0 n/a n/a 16 248
2006 111 99 3 8 0 n/a n/a 20 241
2007 122 118 1 9 0 n/a n/a 31 281
2008 131 122 3 9 2 n/a n/a 38 305
2009 133 123 2 8 0 n/a n/a 39 305
2010 152 142 4 7 0 n/a n/a 29 334
2011 134 115 3 9 5 0 28 0 294
2012 131 129 5 9 3 0 22 0 299
2013 182 132 2 11 4 0 29 0 360
2014 170 119 3 8 4 0 37 0 341
2015 163 125 3 9 3 0 38 0 341
2016 172 128 7 15 2 0 40 0 364
2017 158 100 3 12 2 0 48 0 323
2018 152 99 2 10 2 0 58 0 323
2019 138 96 1 11 6 0 56 0 308
2020 123 140 4 7 2 0 8 0 284
2021 115 134 2 13 3 1 58 0 326
2022 164 239 4 10 2 0 108 0 527
2023 126 227 0 17 2 0 90 0 462

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 Parsons Elementary School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 419 17.0 24.6 n/a
1989 417 16.5 25.2 n/a
1990 522 21.5 24.2 n/a
1991 431 19.5 22.1 n/a
1992 446 20.5 21.7 n/a
1993 414 19.5 21.2 n/a
1994 410 20.6 19.9 n/a
1995 366 20.0 18.3 n/a
1996 366 20.0 18.3 n/a
1997 344 18.0 19.1 n/a
1998 357 19.5 18.3 n/a
1999 369 18.5 19.9 n/a
2000 366 20.5 17.9 n/a
2001 364 19.4 18.8 n/a
2002 336 17.5 19.2 69
2003 336 17.5 19.2 69
2004 302 16.0 18.9 65.6
2005 248 16.0 15.5 72.8
2006 241 13.0 18.5 76
2007 281 14.0 20.1 n/a
2008 305 15.0 20.3 95.5
2009 305 14.0 21.8 n/a
2010 334 16.0 20.8 n/a
2011 294 14.4 20.3 83
2012 299 14.4 20.7 81.6
2013 360 28.0 12.8 80
2014 341 16.4 20.7 83.6
2015 341 20.0 17.0 81.5
2016 364 17.0 21.4 76.1
2017 323 23.0 14.0 52.6
2018 323 23.0 14.0 59.4
2019 308 16.0 19.2 70.1
2020 284 18.0 15.7 79.2
2021 326 n/a n/a n/a
2022 527 31.0 17.0 80.1
2023 462 29.0 15.9 79.7

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 Parsons Elementary School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 419 17.0 24.6 n/a
1989 417 16.5 25.2 n/a
1990 522 21.5 24.2 n/a
1991 431 19.5 22.1 n/a
1992 446 20.5 21.7 n/a
1993 414 19.5 21.2 n/a
1994 410 20.6 19.9 n/a
1995 366 20.0 18.3 n/a
1996 366 20.0 18.3 n/a
1997 344 18.0 19.1 n/a
1998 357 19.5 18.3 n/a
1999 369 18.5 19.9 n/a
2000 366 20.5 17.9 n/a
2001 364 19.4 18.8 n/a
2002 336 17.5 19.2 69
2003 336 17.5 19.2 69
2004 302 16.0 18.9 65.6
2005 248 16.0 15.5 72.8
2006 241 13.0 18.5 76
2007 281 14.0 20.1 n/a
2008 305 15.0 20.3 95.5
2009 305 14.0 21.8 n/a
2010 334 16.0 20.8 n/a
2011 294 14.4 20.3 83
2012 299 14.4 20.7 81.6
2013 360 28.0 12.8 80
2014 341 16.4 20.7 83.6
2015 341 20.0 17.0 81.5
2016 364 17.0 21.4 76.1
2017 323 23.0 14.0 52.6
2018 323 23.0 14.0 59.4
2019 308 16.0 19.2 70.1
2020 284 18.0 15.7 79.2
2021 326 n/a n/a n/a
2022 527 31.0 17.0 80.1
2023 462 29.0 15.9 79.7

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.

Immunization Rates

Parsons Elementary School

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Compare
YearPolioMeaslesMumpsRubellaHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMeningococcal
201598.2%98.2%98.2%98.2%8.8%98.2%98.2%
201698.4%98.4%98.4%98.4%14.5%98.4%83.8%12.6%
201798.1%98.5%98.5%98.5%10.9%98.5%98.5%9.9%
201895.7%96.9%96.9%96.9%15.5%96.9%96.9%15.5%
201995.4%95.4%95.4%95.4%17.7%95.4%95.8%17.3%
202196.9%96.3%96.3%96.3%99.7%96.3%96.9%8.3%
202292.7%92.3%92.3%92.3%92.3%92.3%92.7%9.3%
202393.2%93.6%93.6%93.6%12.5%93.6%93.6%10.3%
202495.7%95.7%95.7%95.7%84.2%95.7%95.7%10.2%

Data source: Illinois State Board of Education
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Parsons Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,619 (14.2%) $9,752 (85.8%) $11,371
2020 $1,043 (8.4%) $11,389 (91.6%) $12,432
2021 $4,353 (28.2%) $11,093 (71.8%) $15,446
2022 $4,353 (28.2%) $11,093 (71.8%) $15,446
2023 $2,880 (17.8%) $13,296 (82.2%) $16,177

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Parsons 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 1753rd of 2086 Elementary schoolsRanks 1995th of 2077 Elementary schools
 12%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Parsons Elementary School)10.95.7
 5.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Decatur School District 61)96.4
 2.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.428.8
 7.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Parsons Elementary School)8.71.9
 6.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Decatur School District 61)7.35
 2.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Illinois)40.633
 7.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Parsons Elementary School)10.97.7
 3.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Decatur School District 61)11.76.6
 5.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)36.735.4
 1.3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Parsons Elementary School)3.60
 3.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Decatur School District 61)6.22.1
 4.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)33.527.7
 5.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Parsons Elementary School)35.73.3
 32.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Decatur School District 61)13.87.3
 6.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)37.935.2
 2.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Parsons Elementary School)7.10
 7.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Decatur School District 61)5.92.1
 3.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)29.825.6
 4.2%
5th Grade Science (Parsons Elementary School)5013.3
 36.7%
   5th Grade Science (Decatur School District 61)26.918.2
 8.7%
   5th Grade Science (Illinois)54.452.4
 2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Parsons Elementary School)6.17.3
 1.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Decatur School District 61)11.46.7
 4.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Illinois)3534.2
 0.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Parsons Elementary School)23.6
 1.6%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Decatur School District 61)3.72.3
 1.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Illinois)25.323.4
 1.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students308462
 50%
African American96227
 136.5%
American Indian62
 66.7%
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic1117
 54.5%
Pacific Islander00
White138126
 8.7%
Two or More Races5690
 60.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients70.1%79.7%
 9.5%


Schools Near Parsons Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Parsons Elementary School

Students who attend Parsons Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Stephen Decatur Middle School
High : Eisenhower High School
High : MacArthur High School

Parsons Elementary School ranks in the bottom 3.9% of Illinois elementary schools.

Students at Parsons Elementary School are 49% African American, 27% White, 19% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic.

In the 2022-23 school year, 462 students attended Parsons Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board 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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