Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public High Schools in Coles County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Coles County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public high schools serving 1,797 students in Coles County, IL.
The top-ranked public high schools in Coles County, IL are Oakland High School, Charleston High School and Lerna Bridges. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Coles County, IL public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the Illinois public high school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 26% (versus the 29% statewide average). High schools in Coles County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public high schools.
Coles County, IL public high school have a Graduation Rate of 80%, which is less than the Illinois average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Mattoon High School, with 92% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Illinois or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public high school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High 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.
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: #3 - 43. - 4.
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: #3 - 43. - 4.
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: #55.
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: 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
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
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 high schools in Coles County, IL?
The top-ranked public high schools in Coles County, IL include Oakland High School, Charleston High School and Lerna Bridges.
How many public high schools are located in Coles County?
10 public high schools are located in Coles County.
What is the racial composition of students in Coles County?
Coles County public high schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public high schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Coles County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (IL):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
 Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons

More Articles

Public School Jobs
Public School Policies
About Public Schools
Scholarships
Opinion