Decatur Public Schools #61

Decatur Public Schools #61 Public school district serving nearly 8,000 Pre-K to 12th grade students in Decatur, Illinois Three of our facilities are magnet schools.

Decatur Public Schools #61 Facebook Guidelines: The DPS page informs parents, staff, and community members about our achievements, events and activities. Information posted from DPS will be direct, open and honest; we hope comments posted on the page will be respectful, factual and constructive. Personal insults against any individual will be deleted, as will posts that violate the privac

y of others or Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Examples include unauthorized commercial solicitations; posts that bully, intimidate, or harass; content that is hateful, threatening, pornographic, or contains violence; or any post that is unlawful, misleading, malicious, or discriminatory. If more than one post by the same individual must be deleted, the District reserves the right to block that individual from the page. Decatur Public Schools (DPS) serve a diverse and engaged student population. With approximately 7,000 students and 1,800 staff members at 15 schools throughout the district, DPS challenges children and adults to reach higher levels of success. The district operates one Pre-Kindergarten/Early Learning Center, five K-6 elementary schools, five K-8 schools, a middle school, two high schools, and an alternative learning academy. The District also serves as the administrative agent for the Macon-Piatt Special Education District. The diversified facilities allow for individualized learning for each student.

Superintendent Moody visited the Social Emotional Learning Academy (SELA) this week and came back for her special order ...
09/04/2026

Superintendent Moody visited the Social Emotional Learning Academy (SELA) this week and came back for her special order of Iced Peppermint Tea. The SELA students work in collaboration with staff to take, make and deliver orders to staff every Friday. What a nice way to begin a Friday morning and end a great week! May everyone have a great day and safe holiday weekend!

09/03/2026

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

**TIME CHANGE**

On Tuesday, September 08, 2026, the Board of Education will reconvene its Open Session Board meeting, after Closed Executive Session, and continue with the Open Session Agenda at 5:30 PM in the 1st floor Board Room at the Keil Administration Building, 101 W. Cerro Gordo Street, Decatur, IL, 62523, instead of 6:30 PM. The time change will allow staff to attend additional district events on this evening.

For additional details please contact Board Secretary Melissa Bradford at [email protected] and/or by calling 217 362-3010 or 217 362-3011.

09/02/2026

🎥 From the Classroom to a Career

For Gage Brilley, the DPS 61 Co-Op Program was more than just an opportunity to gain work experience — it was the beginning of a career path.

Through the program, Gage gained valuable real-world experience, built important skills, and started making connections that helped put him on a path to success with ADM.

His story is a great example of what can happen when education and career opportunities come together. Check out Gage’s journey and see how the DPS 61 Co-Op Program helped him take that important first step toward his future! 👏

Learning never stops! Just ask our principals who were in class today for a little professional development.
09/01/2026

Learning never stops! Just ask our principals who were in class today for a little professional development.

08/31/2026

Due to the high heat, today's, August 31, 2026, Junior Varsity football game between Eisenhower High School and Mt. Zion High School has been moved back one hour and will now start at 7:00PM at Eisenhower High School.

Please join us in welcoming Alyssa Patrick, our new Director Of Communications And Public Relations, to Decatur Public S...
08/31/2026

Please join us in welcoming Alyssa Patrick, our new Director Of Communications And Public Relations, to Decatur Public Schools! We’re excited to have her join the District 61 family and look forward to the experience, creativity, and leadership she will bring to our team.

08/28/2026

Frida Arellano Alvarez is taking her DPS 61 and Prep Academy education to the next level! Now pursuing the medical track at the University of Illinois, Frida is turning her passion for helping others into a promising future in healthcare. Learn more about her journey and how DPS 61 helped prepare her for success.

08/20/2026

Where Are They Now? 🎓

Grace Raleigh was a member of the first Prep Academy cohort at Decatur Public Schools, earning her associate degree alongside her high school diploma. Now attending Western Kentucky University, Grace continues to build on the strong foundation she established at DPS 61. Watch her story and see where her journey has taken her!

08/20/2026

A big thank-you to The Dunn Company for donating two sets of golf clubs to the DPS 61 girls golf team! This generous gift is a wonderful example of a local company investing in our students and setting the standard for community support. We’re grateful to The Dunn Company for helping our young athletes build their skills, confidence, and love for the game!

🌟 COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN ACTION! 🌟Reflective Girls™ is bringing the community together for the 1st Annual RG Community Co...
08/19/2026

🌟 COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN ACTION! 🌟

Reflective Girls™ is bringing the community together for the 1st Annual RG Community Cookout — and it’s going to be an amazing day of food, fun, family, music, games, and connection! 🎉🍔🎶

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM–9:00 PM
📍 Hess Park | Decatur, Illinois

📣 VENDORS — THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET INVOLVED!

Reflective Girls™ is calling all entrepreneurs, small business owners, creatives, organizations, and community partners to be part of this exciting event! Showcase what you do, connect with families and youth, promote your organization, and be part of something bigger.

🕘 Vendor Setup: 9:00 AM–11:00 AM
🎪 Event Opens: 12:00 PM

Address

101 W Cerro Gordo Street
Decatur, IL
62523

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12173623017

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Decatur Public Schools #61 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category