For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 2,888 students in Fayette County, IL (there are 2 private schools, serving 138 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 17% (versus the Illinois public school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 30% statewide average). Schools in Fayette County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 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 56% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Fayette County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
New Approach Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1500 W Jefferson St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-9311
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-9311
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: #22.
Ramsey Elementary School
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
516 W 6th St
Ramsey, IL 62080
(618) 423-2010
Ramsey, IL 62080
(618) 423-2010
Grades: PK-5
| 207 students
Rank: #33.
Brownstown Jr High School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
421 S College Ave
Brownstown, IL 62418
(618) 427-3839
Brownstown, IL 62418
(618) 427-3839
Grades: 7-8
| 61 students
Rank: #44.
Vandalia Elementary School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1017 W Fletcher St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5166
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5166
Grades: PK-3
| 558 students
Rank: #55.
Ramsey High School
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
702 W 6th St
Ramsey, IL 62080
(618) 423-2333
Ramsey, IL 62080
(618) 423-2333
Grades: 6-12
| 196 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Brownstown Elementary School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
460 W South St
Brownstown, IL 62418
(618) 427-3368
Brownstown, IL 62418
(618) 427-3368
Grades: PK-6
| 271 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Vandalia Community High School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1109 N 8th St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5155
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5155
Grades: 9-12
| 380 students
Rank: #88.
St. Elmo Elementary School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
519 W 2nd St
Saint Elmo, IL 62458
(618) 829-3263
Saint Elmo, IL 62458
(618) 829-3263
Grades: PK-6
| 225 students
Rank: #99.
Vandalia Junior High School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1011 W Fletcher St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5151
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5151
Grades: 4-8
| 522 students
Rank: #1010.
Focus Safe Sch Program
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1500 W Jefferson St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-9311
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-9311
Grades: 6-9
| n/a students
Rank: #1111.
Brownstown High School
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
421 S College Ave
Brownstown, IL 62418
(618) 427-3839
Brownstown, IL 62418
(618) 427-3839
Grades: 9-12
| 94 students
Rank: #1212.
South Central High School
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
800 W Washington St
Farina, IL 62838
(618) 245-3363
Farina, IL 62838
(618) 245-3363
Grades: 9-12
| 195 students
Rank: #1313.
St. Elmo Sr High School
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
300 W 12th St
Saint Elmo, IL 62458
(618) 829-3227
Saint Elmo, IL 62458
(618) 829-3227
Grades: 9-12
| 122 students
Rank: #1414.
St. Elmo Jr High School
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
300 W 12th St
Saint Elmo, IL 62458
(618) 829-3227
Saint Elmo, IL 62458
(618) 829-3227
Grades: 7-8
| 57 students
Rank: n/an/a
Okaw Area Vocational Center
Vocational School
1109 N 8th St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5150
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5150
Grades: 11-12
| n/a students
Fayette County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1500 W Jefferson St
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5160
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-5160
Grades: PK-1
| 295 students
Rr 1 Box 35-3
Farina, IL 62838
(618) 245-6112
Farina, IL 62838
(618) 245-6112
Grades: 4-5
| 104 students
Vandalia Correctional Center (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
Route 51 North
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-4170
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-4170
Grades: 12
| n/a students
Vandalia Work Camp (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
Route 51 North
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-4170
Vandalia, IL 62471
(618) 283-4170
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
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 56% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Fayette County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Fayette County include: Ramsey Elementary School vs. Vandalia Elementary School, St. Elmo Jr High School vs. Brownstown Jr High School, Vandalia Elementary School vs. Ramsey Elementary School
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