At a glance
Reported students
505
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
32
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
15.8:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
KG–06
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Illinois elementary enrollment
77th percentile
Compared with 2,323 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
442
Parsons Elementary School: 505 reported students.
State peer staffing position
86th percentile
15.8:1 reported; state peer median 13.1:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 508
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Student–teacher ratio
- 14.9:1
What the reported data says about Parsons Elementary School
Parsons Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades KG–06 in Decatur. It is one of 16 current school records connected to Decatur SD 61. NCES reports 505 students for 2024–25.
Among 2,323 elementary schools in Illinois with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 365 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 77th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 15.8:1, above the Illinois median of 13.1:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Black (49.1%) and White (26.5%). Students served under IDEA represent 12.6%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Parsons Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 15.8:1 student–teacher ratio and 32 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- Students with disabilities
- 12.6%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 89.5%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 1
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White26.5%
- Hispanic5.7%
- Black49.1%
- Asian0.2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native1.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial17.2%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Decatur SD 61
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Hope Academy
Elementary · Grades KG–08
501 reported students
Franklin Grove Elem School
Elementary · Grades KG–06
461 reported students
Dennis Lab School
Elementary · Grades KG–08
579 reported students
Montessori Academy for Peace
Elementary · Grades PK–08
586 reported students
Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School
Elementary · Grades KG–08
423 reported students
Muffley Elem School
Elementary · Grades KG–06
386 reported students