For the 2025 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 5,974 students in Coles County, IL (there are 3 private schools, serving 302 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, Charleston High School and Carl Sandburg 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 26%), 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 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Coles County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Oakland High School
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
310 Teeter St
Oakland, IL 61943
(217) 346-2118
Oakland, IL 61943
(217) 346-2118
Grades: 9-12
| 65 students
Rank: #22.
Charleston High School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1615 Lincoln Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-5000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-5000
Grades: 9-12
| 780 students
Rank: #33.
Carl Sandburg Elementary School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1924 Reynolds Dr
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-4000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-4000
Grades: K-3
| 537 students
Rank: #44.
Arland D Williams Jr Elementary School
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1709 S 9th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-2800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-2800
Grades: K-5
| 716 students
Rank: #55.
Lake Crest Elementary School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
310 Teeter St
Oakland, IL 61943
(217) 346-2166
Oakland, IL 61943
(217) 346-2166
Grades: PK-8
| 182 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Lerna Bridges
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
10 Third St
Lerna, IL 62440
(217) 235-4867
Lerna, IL 62440
(217) 235-4867
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Life Academy
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2405 Champaign Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 348-7704
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 348-7704
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
Rank: #88.
Mattoon Middle School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1200 S 9th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-5800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-5800
Grades: 6-8
| 621 students
Rank: #99.
Mattoon High School
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2521 Walnut Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-7800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-7800
Grades: 9-12
| 952 students
Rank: #1010.
Charleston Middle School
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
920 Smith Dr
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-6000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-6000
Grades: 7-8
| 395 students
Rank: #1111.
Ashmore Elementary School
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
313 S Ohio St
Ashmore, IL 61912
(217) 349-3000
Ashmore, IL 61912
(217) 349-3000
Grades: K-4
| 72 students
Rank: #1212.
Riddle Elementary School
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4201 Western Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-3800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-3800
Grades: K-5
| 569 students
Rank: #1313.
Jefferson Elementary School
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 Jefferson Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-7000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-7000
Grades: 4-6
| 663 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Pathways Roe 11
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
730 7th St, Jerald Calandrilla
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 348-0151
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 348-0151
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Treatment & Learning Center-h
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
306 Adams St
Humboldt, IL 61931
(217) 856-2223
Humboldt, IL 61931
(217) 856-2223
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Adult Life Academy
Special Education School
1617 Lake Land Blvd
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 348-7700
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 348-7700
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Eastern Il Efe System
Vocational School
1617 Lake Land Blvd
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 258-6283
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 258-6283
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1201 S 6th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8800
Grades: PK
| 217 students
Rank: n/an/a
Lerna Taoep
Alternative School
10 3rd St
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 235-4867
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 235-4867
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Lift
Alternative School
121 S 17th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8900
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8900
Grades: 11-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1021 13th St
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-8000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-8000
Grades: PK-K
| 205 students
Rank: n/an/a
Shelbyville Taoep
Alternative School
730 7th St
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 348-0151
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 348-0151
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Coles County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Armstrong Center Tmh School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1400 Piatt Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 235-0959
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 235-0959
Grades: PK-12
| 130 students
205 S 32nd St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-7627
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-7627
Grades: K-3
| 311 students
Charleston Bridges (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
730 7th St
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 348-0151
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 348-0151
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Eastern Il Efedual Credit High School (Closed 2013)
Vocational School
1617 Lakeland Blvd
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 258-6238
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 258-6238
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Humboldt Bridges (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
308 Adams St, Humboldt Bridges
Humboldt, IL 61931
(217) 268-4101
Humboldt, IL 61931
(217) 268-4101
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
P O Box 37
Humboldt, IL 61931
(217) 856-2116
Humboldt, IL 61931
(217) 856-2116
Grades: K-5
| 142 students
P O Box 129
Lerna, IL 62440
(217) 234-9298
Lerna, IL 62440
(217) 234-9298
Grades: K-3
| 54 students
1200 S 17th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-7626
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-7626
Grades: K-3
| 317 students
2405 Champaign Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8800
Grades: 7-12
| 163 students
1200 Shelby Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-4464
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-4464
Grades: PK-3
| 148 students
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, Charleston High School and Carl Sandburg 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 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Coles County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Coles County include: Riddle Elementary School vs. Arland D Williams Jr Elementary School, Charleston High School vs. Mattoon High School, Ashmore Elementary School vs. Carl Sandburg Elementary School
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