Heartland Technical Academy: Top Public High School in Decatur IL (2026 List)

About Heartland Technical Academy

Heartland Technical Academy Located in Decatur, Illinois, Heartland Technical Academy is one of the top public career and technical education centers serving high school juniors and seniors from over 15 area school districts. It has been recognized as one of the top schools for vocational excellence and has a student to teacher ratio of about 15:1. It supports about 500 students in a supportive learning environment. As a premier Workforce Development school, the institution specializes in high-demand areas including Nursing, Automotive Technology, Welding and Cosmetology.Heartland Technical Academy has a wonderfully diverse student population. It is one of the best schools for its commitment to economically disadvantaged learners as well as learners seeking post-secondary certifications. Math and Reading proficiency data is generally reported through students’ home high schools, though the academy is also recognized as a top school for its dual-credit opportunities and industry-recognized credentials. The school is one of the best schools in the country at bridging the gap between secondary education and immediate career success, with significant regional funding, and it is one of the best high schools in Illinois.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 0%

Reading 0%

State average proficiency is 0% in Math and 0% in Reading.

0

Total Students

$66456

Avg. Teacher Salary

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Heartland Technical Academy Contact Information

Address

1 College Park, Decatur, IL, 62521

View on Map

Phone

(217) 872-4050

Call Now

Website

http://www.tech-academy.org/

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:45 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Heartland Technical Academy held its Student Recognition Awards on May 1, 2025. Students from Decatur Public Schools #61, MacArthur, Eisenhower, and area districts were recognized for outstanding achievement, leadership, and Student of the Year awards in each class. The College Park campus hosts 18 CTE programs with free dual credit through Richland Community College and industry certifications. Newly renovated labs support Early Childhood Education, Cosmetology and Certified Nurse Assisting. Tech Academy received 3,005 applications for 2025-26 and offers paid internships, SkillsUSA opportunities and a preschool on site for real-world training.

FAQ

Q1. Are students able to look into STEM options?

Ans. Yes, ! There are science, technology, engineering, and math programs that let students learn through practical activities.

Q2. Are there programs that help kids stay fit?

Ans. Yes, Heartland Technical Academy helps students' mental, emotional, and social health by giving them counseling and wellness programs.

Q3. Do students have lockers in Heartland Technical Academy?

Ans. Yes, students are given lockers in the hallways at the start of the school year.

Q4. Can students take the SAT and ACT?

Ans. Yes, Heartland Technical Academy lets students who want to go to college take both the SAT and the ACT.

Q5. Does Heartland Technical Academy encourage people to get involved in their community?

Ans. Yes, students can help out with community programs and volunteer projects to learn about civic duty.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say