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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Coles County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public middle schools serving 1,198 students in Coles County, IL.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Coles County, IL are Mattoon Middle School, Lerna Bridges and Life Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Coles County, IL public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 29% statewide average). Middle schools in Coles County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public middle school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Coles County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: 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
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 middle schools in Coles County, IL?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Coles County, IL include Mattoon Middle School, Lerna Bridges and Life Academy.
How many public middle schools are located in Coles County?
8 public middle schools are located in Coles County.
What is the racial composition of students in Coles County?
Coles County public middle schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public middle schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).

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