For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public elementary schools serving 3,360 students in Coles County, IL.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Coles County, IL are Carl Sandburg Elementary School, Arland D Williams Jr Elementary School and Mattoon Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Coles County, IL public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the Illinois public elementary school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 30% statewide average). Elementary schools in Coles County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public elementary school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Coles County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #4 - 54. - 5.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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
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 elementary schools in Coles County, IL?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Coles County, IL include Carl Sandburg Elementary School, Arland D Williams Jr Elementary School and Mattoon Middle School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Coles County?
12 public elementary schools are located in Coles County.
What is the racial composition of students in Coles County?
Coles County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 21% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public elementary schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Coles County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Coles County include: Riddle Elementary School vs. Arland D Williams Jr Elementary School, Ashmore Elementary School vs. Carl Sandburg Elementary School, Lerna Bridges vs. Life Academy
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