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 Schools in Fayette County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Fayette County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 2,888 students in Fayette County, IL (there are 2 private schools, serving 154 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Fayette County, IL are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
The top-ranked public schools in Fayette County, IL are New Approach Alternative High School, Ramsey Elementary School and Brownstown Jr High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Fayette County, IL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the Illinois public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Fayette County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Illinois public schools.
Minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Fayette County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
New Approach Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1500 W Jefferson St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-9311
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #22.
Ramsey Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
516 W 6th St
Ramsey, IL 62080
(618) 423-2010
Gr: PK-5 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #33.
Brownstown Jr High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
421 S College Ave
Brownstown, IL 62418
(618) 427-3839
Gr: 7-8 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Ramsey High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
702 W 6th St
Ramsey, IL 62080
(618) 423-2333
Gr: 6-12 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #55.
Vandalia Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1017 W Fletcher St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5166
Gr: PK-3 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
St. Elmo Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
519 W 2nd St
Saint Elmo, IL 62458
(618) 829-3263
Gr: PK-6 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #77.
Vandalia Junior High School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1011 W Fletcher St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5151
Gr: 4-8 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #88.
Brownstown Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
460 W South St
Brownstown, IL 62418
(618) 427-3368
Gr: PK-6 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #99.
Focus Safe School Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 W Jefferson St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-9311
Gr: 6-9
Rank: #1010.
Brownstown High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
421 S College Ave
Brownstown, IL 62418
(618) 427-3839
Gr: 9-12 | 102 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1111.
Vandalia Community High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1109 N 8th St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5155
Gr: 9-12 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1212.
St. Elmo Sr High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
300 W 12th St
Saint Elmo, IL 62458
(618) 829-3227
Gr: 9-12 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #1313.
South Central High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
800 W Washington St
Farina, IL 62838
(618) 245-3363
Gr: 9-12 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1414.
St. Elmo Jr High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
300 W 12th St
Saint Elmo, IL 62458
(618) 829-3227
Gr: 7-8 | 55 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: n/an/a
Okaw Area Vocational Center
Vocational School
1109 N 8th St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5150
Gr: 11-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Fayette County, IL?
The top-ranked public schools in Fayette County, IL include New Approach Alternative High School, Ramsey Elementary School and Brownstown Jr High School.
How many public schools are located in Fayette County?
15 public schools are located in Fayette County.
What percentage of students in Fayette County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Fayette County are educated in public schools (compared to the IL state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Fayette County?
Fayette County public schools minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Fayette 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

Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
 15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
 The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights

More Articles

Local School Topics
Evaluating Public Schools
Scholarships
Teaching
Parenting and Learning Issues