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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Fayette County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public high schools serving 987 students in Fayette County, IL.
The top-ranked public high schools in Fayette County, IL are New Approach Alternative High School, Ramsey High School and Focus Safe School Program. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Fayette County, IL public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the Illinois public high school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 24% (versus the 29% statewide average). High schools in Fayette County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Illinois public high schools.
Fayette County, IL public high school have a Graduation Rate of 84%, which is less than the Illinois average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Vandalia Community High School, with 85-89% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Illinois or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public high school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public High 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 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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: 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 high schools in Fayette County, IL?
The top-ranked public high schools in Fayette County, IL include New Approach Alternative High School, Ramsey High School and Focus Safe School Program.
How many public high schools are located in Fayette County?
8 public high schools are located in Fayette County.
What is the racial composition of students in Fayette County?
Fayette County public high schools minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Illinois public high schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Fayette County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Fayette County include: St. Elmo Sr High School vs. Vandalia Community High School

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