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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Coles County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 5,974 students in Coles County, IL (there are 2 private schools, serving 343 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Coles County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Coles County, IL are Oakland High School, Carl Sandburg Elementary School and Arland D Williams Jr Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Coles County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Coles County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Coles County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Oakland High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
310 Teeter St
Oakland, IL 61943
(217) 346-2118
Gr: 9-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #22.
Carl Sandburg Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1924 Reynolds Dr
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-4000
Gr: 1-3 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Arland D Williams Jr Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1709 S 9th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-2800
Gr: K-5 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
Charleston High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1615 Lincoln Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 795 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Mattoon Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 S 9th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-5800
Gr: 6-8 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Lerna Bridges
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
10 Third St
Lerna, IL 62440
(217) 235-4867
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Life Academy
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2405 Champaign Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(844) 999-9003
Gr: PK-12
Rank: #88.
Charleston Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
920 Smith Dr
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-6000
Gr: 7-8 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #99.
Ashmore Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
313 S Ohio St
Ashmore, IL 61912
(217) 349-3000
Gr: K-4 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1010.
Lake Crest Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
310 Teeter St
Oakland, IL 61943
(217) 346-2166
Gr: PK-8 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #1111.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
801 Jefferson Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-7000
Gr: 4-6 | 698 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1212.
Mattoon High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2521 Walnut Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-7800
Gr: 9-12 | 888 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1313.
Riddle Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4201 Western Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-3800
Gr: K-5 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1414.
Treatment & Learning Center-h
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
306 Adams St
Humboldt, IL 61931
(844) 999-9002
Rank: n/an/a
Adult Life Academy
Special Education School
1617 Lake Land Blvd
Mattoon, IL 61938
(844) 999-9006
Rank: n/an/a
Eastern Il Efe System
Vocational School
121 S 17th St Fl 3
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 258-6283
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Franklin Elementary School
1201 S 6th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8800
Gr: PK | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
Lerna Taoep
Alternative School
10 3rd St
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 235-4867
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Lift
Alternative School
121 S 17th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8900
Gr: 11-12
Rank: n/an/a
Mark Twain Elementary School
1021 13th St
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-8000
Gr: PK-K | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: n/an/a
Ontracc
Special Education School
121 S 17th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 348-7700
Gr: 12
Rank: n/an/a
Shelbyville Taoep
Alternative School
730 7th St
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 348-0151
Gr: 6-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Coles County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Coles County, IL include Oakland High School, Carl Sandburg Elementary School and Arland D Williams Jr Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Coles County?
22 public schools are located in Coles County.
What percentage of students in Coles County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Coles County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Coles County?
Coles County public schools minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Coles County are often viewed compared to one another?

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