For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 5,974 students in Coles County, IL (there are , 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, Carl Sandburg Elementary School and Arland D Williams Jr 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 27%), 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 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Coles County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Oakland High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
310 Teeter St
Oakland, IL 61943
(217) 346-2118
Oakland, IL 61943
(217) 346-2118
Gr: 9-12 | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #22.
Carl Sandburg Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1924 Reynolds Dr
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-4000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-4000
Gr: K-3 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
Arland D Williams Jr Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1709 S 9th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-2800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-2800
Gr: K-5 | 716 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #44.
Charleston High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1615 Lincoln Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-5000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #55.
Mattoon Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1200 S 9th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-5800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-5800
Gr: 6-8 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
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
Gr: 6-12
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
Gr: PK-12
Rank: #88.
Charleston Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
920 Smith Dr
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-6000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-6000
Gr: 7-8 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #99.
Ashmore Elementary School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
313 S Ohio St
Ashmore, IL 61912
(217) 349-3000
Ashmore, IL 61912
(217) 349-3000
Gr: K-4 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Lake Crest Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
310 Teeter St
Oakland, IL 61943
(217) 346-2166
Oakland, IL 61943
(217) 346-2166
Gr: PK-8 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1111.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 Jefferson Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-7000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-7000
Gr: 4-6 | 663 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1212.
Mattoon High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2521 Walnut Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-7800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-7800
Gr: 9-12 | 952 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1313.
Riddle Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4201 Western Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-3800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-3800
Gr: K-5 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
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
Gr: 6-12
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
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
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
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
1201 S 6th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8800
Gr: PK | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 43:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: n/an/a
1021 13th St
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-8000
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 639-8000
Gr: PK-K | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Coles County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Armstrong Center Tmh School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1400 Piatt Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 235-0959
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 235-0959
Gr: PK-12 | 130 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
205 S 32nd St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-7627
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-7627
Gr: K-3 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Charleston Bridges (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
730 7th St
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 348-0151
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 348-0151
Gr: 6-12
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
Gr: 9-12
Humboldt Bridges (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
308 Adams St, Humboldt Bridges
Humboldt, IL 61931
(217) 268-4101
Humboldt, IL 61931
(217) 268-4101
Gr: 6-12
P O Box 37
Humboldt, IL 61931
(217) 856-2116
Humboldt, IL 61931
(217) 856-2116
Gr: K-5 | 142 students Minority enrollment: 3%
1200 S 17th St
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-7626
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-7626
Gr: K-3 | 317 students Minority enrollment: 5%
2405 Champaign Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8800
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 238-8800
Gr: 7-12 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
1200 Shelby Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-4464
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 234-4464
Gr: PK-3 | 148 students Minority enrollment: 12%
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, Carl Sandburg Elementary School and Arland D Williams Jr 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 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Coles County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Coles County include: Mattoon High School vs. Charleston High School, Riddle Elementary School vs. Arland D Williams Jr Elementary School, Charleston High School vs. Mattoon High School
Recent Articles
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.
