Check out these AMAZING facts about our students successes in Decatur and Macon County...

March Did You Know: Quality of Life

• More than 6100 people are enrolled in Macon County based higher education? This doesn't include the individuals enrolled in online programs from institutions outside of Macon County or those traveling to other higher educational entities within Illinois or beyond.
• More than 27% of the Macon County population that is 25 years of age or older has attained an Associate's, Bachelor's or graduate level degree?
• More than 51% of the Macon County population that is 25 years of age or older has attended college?
• In 2010, 1059 students graduated from high schools in Macon County?
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February Did You Know: ISAT Testing

• ISAT testing is based on the state learning standards which define what public school students should know in core educational areas?
• Mt. Zion Grade School has earned an Academic Excellence Award for 2010? This award is given to schools that have 90% of students meeting or exceeding state standards in both reading and mathematics for the three most recent school years.
• In five years time, Oak Grove Elementary School went from 59% meets or exceeds to 82% meets or exceeds on their ISAT scores?
• Stevenson Elementary increased ISAT reading test scores among African-American students by 15% and math scores by 20%?
• Oak Grove Elementary School has exceeded the ISAT state average for the past two years and Garfield Montessori School has exceeded the state average for the past four years?
• For economically disadvantaged students, Stephen Decatur Middle School improved ISAT Math scores from 64.2% to 72.8% and Thomas Jefferson Middle School improved from 57.3% to 66.3%?
• Print the February Flyer

January Did You Know: Quality & Supportive Education

• 635 elementary students were provided free tutoring by certified teachers through the Project Success Right Track program?
• Many churches throughout the city have partnered with schools to form the "oneschool- one-church" alliance in support of education, and they provide help in tutoring? One successful program is "Club 305" sponsored by First Christian Church.
• 100 children were provided before and after school care focusing on academic success and character development through the YMCA's School Age Care Program?
• 233 youth were served with tutoring, homework help, scouting and leadership activities through the Boys and Girls Club?
• The United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois supports educational programs locally that work to help increase the graduation rate. Over the last 4 years they have invested almost 2.9 million community dollars to programs that focus on the key components of success in school!
• Print the January Flyer

November Did You Know: Dual Credit

• Successful completion of a dual credit course can result in a savings of approximately $300 per class at a community college and up to $6,000 per class at a university?
• During the 2010-11 school year, the Decatur Area Tech Academy and Richland Community College have partnered to offer over 40 different dual credit courses to area high school students?
• That 1,223 students were enrolled in dual credit classes and 4,874 credit hours were generated during the 2009-10 school year by high school students in the Richland Community College district which includes all of Macon County?
• High school students can take dual credit classes at their high school, the Decatur Area Technical Academy, and Richland Community College?
• Mt. Zion High School has had two students graduate with their high school diploma and a two-year associates degree on the same day because they have taken dual-credit courses while in high school?
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October Did You Know: Student Success

• Over 18 different Advanced Placement classes are offered in our area high schools? Students earning a 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement exam can earn college credits. Colleges and universities look for the most competitive students who have taken the most rigorous high school curriculum available to them.
• That 108 students in Macon County schools were identified as State Scholars for their outstanding academic achievement?
• There are over 25 different academic clubs for students to join throughout area high schools? These include Scholastic Bowl, Future Business Leaders of America, various language clubs, book clubs, math and science clubs, various speech and debate clubs, drama clubs and many others.
• Richland Community College had 76 high school graduates from the class of 2010 qualify for the RCC Trustees Scholarship? This scholarship provides two years of college tuition for students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school class. Recipients of the scholarship must enter RCC the fall semester after they graduate from high school and live in the RCC district.
• All area high schools offer parent nights where assistance with college applications and financial aid are provided?
• Print the October Flyer

September Did You Know: Extracurricular Involvement

• There are over 65 different extracurricular activities available for area K-12 students?
• The Mt. Zion High School Choir recently sang at the Boston Garden? This kind of experience showcases the possibilities area students can have by participating in extracurricular activities.
• Recent MacArthur High School graduate, Blair Springfield, was recruited to play with the Chicago Cubs last year?
• There are 39 sports and activities sanctioned by the Illinois High School Association that are available for students in our area?
• The high schools (both public and private) in Macon County compete every spring in the Junior Achievement Titan Contest. Each team works as the chief executive officer of a company. They make business decisions on items like stock investments, production and marketing. The teams with the highest profit margins win scholarship money for each team member.
• That of the 100% of the St. Teresa High School class of 2010 that is college bound, ALL participated in at least one extracurricular activity throughout the year?
• Print the September Flyer

August Did You Know: Parental Involvement

• 91% of students in Decatur Public Schools had at least one parent/teacher conference during the 2009-2010 school year?
• The Big Brothers / Big Sisters school-based "lunch buddies" program which matches working adults who spend their lunch hours tutoring/mentoring elementary students, logged 3,000 hours of direct service to children living in Macon County? Area employers including, Caterpillar, ADM and Tate and Lyle support and encourage employees to participate in these kinds of school based programs.
• Garfield Montessori Magnet School requires parents to sign a contract pledging 10 hours of volunteer time in the school?
• Over 432 children participated in the summer reading program at the Decatur Public Library and 24,000+ books were checked out in the children's dept in the month of June? Research shows that reading to a child regularly for at least 10 minutes per day leads to a student who is better prepared for school. These children tend to perform better and have greater self confidence (International Reading Association).
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July Did You Know: Kindergarten Readiness

• 85% of Macon county children have been screened for kindergarten using the Brigance system? This system helps educators identify giftedness as well as students who show learning delays. It also identifies motor, self-help, socialemotional and cognitive skills. The county goal is to have EVERY child screened!
• That because of Kindergarten Camp, 150 more children met the readiness criteria and arrived at school ready to learn!
• The number of Kindergarten Camp participants has increased from 85 students in 2008 to over 190 students in 2010? That is a 45% increase in participation!
• Every licensed day care provider has a voice in early childhood education thanks to the Education Coalition and the forming of the Kindergarten Readiness team? The team goal is for every child to be fully prepared for success when starting kindergarten!
• The Decatur area has a "Super Dads" program that was established to teach fathers how to communicate and educate their young children? There are three Super Dads groups in our community with over 65 members. More groups are in the process of being developed.
• Print the July Flyer

June Did You Know: Job Readiness

• The class of 2010 at all high schools in Macon County received over 5 million dollars in scholarships to attend college in the fall?
• The Decatur Area Technicial Academy has had a 100% pass rate on the Certified Nursing Assistant licensure exam for the past 3 years?
• The Decatur public high schools – Eisenhower and MacArthur – have seen their graduation numbers increase 14.6% over the past 3 years?
• The St. Teresa High School class of 2010 is 100% college bound?
• The class of 2010 at all high schools in Macon County logged over 28,000 volunteer service hours at local agencies?
• Print the June Flyer