Coles County Schools & Education
Coles County, Illinois
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
78/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Higher Signal
Graduation Rate
94.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
94.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,691
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
78/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 63/100
State Score Position
#17
of 102 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Coles County
Measured School Summary
Coles County has a higher measured school signal with a school score of 78/100 and a graduation rate of 94.0%, based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-score inputs.
Funding Context
Coles County spends $8,691 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 24% above the Illinois average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 5.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Coles County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
23 public schools and 3 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
78/100
Higher measured signal. Ranks #17 of 102 Illinois counties with school score data.
Completion
94.0%
5.2 pts above the state average
Funding context
$8,691
$559 below the state average
School coverage
23
3 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county screens well on the combined school metrics available here. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Coles County has 23 public schools across 3 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Coles County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Higher-signal county
Coles County screens well on the measured county-level school signal. The next check is whether that strength is broad across districts or concentrated in a few school pathways.
State position
#17
of 102 Illinois counties with school score data. The county score is 15 points above the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 91% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Mattoon CUSD 2
Elementary to high school visible
3,137 students
6 listed schools in this county slice.
Charleston CUSD 1
Elementary to high school visible
2,622 students
6 listed schools in this county slice.
Oakland CUSD 5
Elementary and high visible
252 students
2 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Charleston CUSD 1 is the largest listed district slice, with 6 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Coles County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Coles County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
If we need a program not visible in the NCES flags, which district office can confirm current offerings?
Which schools are missing enrollment or ratio fields, and does the district publish a newer local profile than the NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data?
Education Overview
About Schools in Coles County, Illinois
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
A Strong High-Performance Network
Coles County supports 23 schools and 6,011 students within 3 primary districts. The landscape includes a wide range of facilities, featuring 10 high schools and various specialized alternative and special education centers.
Mattoon and Charleston Anchor Education
Mattoon CUSD 2 and Charleston CUSD 1 are the dominant districts, serving 3,137 and 2,622 students respectively. The county maintains a traditional educational structure with 0% charter school participation.
Established Town Schools and Larger Sizes
Most schools are located in town settings, leading to a larger average school size of 462 students. Mattoon High School is the largest campus with 999 students, followed by Charleston High with 766.
School Overview
Total Schools
23
in Coles County
Reported Enrollment
6,011
21 schools reporting
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
3 School Districts in Coles County
Mattoon CUSD 2
Charleston CUSD 1
Oakland CUSD 5
23 Public Schools in Coles County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 1 high-enrollment school; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 20 of 23 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mattoon High School | Profile | Mattoon CUSD 2 | Mattoon, 61938Town: Distant | 9–12 | High | 999 |
| Charleston High School | Record | Charleston CUSD 1 | Charleston, 61920Town: Distant | 9–12 | High | 766 |
| Arland D Williams Jr Elem Sch | Record | Mattoon CUSD 2 | Mattoon, 61938Town: Distant | KG–5 | Primary | 681 |
| Mattoon Middle School | Record | Mattoon CUSD 2 | Mattoon, 61938Town: Distant | 6–8 | Middle | 645 |
| Jefferson Elem School | Record | Charleston CUSD 1 | Charleston, 61920Town: Distant | 4–6 | Middle | 635 |
| Riddle Elementary School | Record | Mattoon CUSD 2 | Mattoon, 61938Town: Distant | KG–5 | Primary | 616 |
| Carl Sandburg Elem School | Record | Charleston CUSD 1 | Charleston, 61920Town: Distant | KG–3 | Primary | 551 |
| Charleston Middle School | Record | Charleston CUSD 1 | Charleston, 61920Town: Distant | 7–8 | Middle | 399 |
| Franklin Elementary School | Record | Mattoon CUSD 2 | Mattoon, 61938Town: Distant | PK | Other | 196 |
| Mark Twain Elem School | Record | Charleston CUSD 1 | Charleston, 61920Town: Distant | PK–KG | Primary | 189 |
| Lake Crest Elem School | Record | Oakland CUSD 5 | Oakland, 61943Rural: Distant | PK–8 | Primary | 185 |
| Ashmore Elem School | Record | Charleston CUSD 1 | Ashmore, 61912Rural: Distant | KG–4 | Primary | 82 |
| Oakland High School | Record | Oakland CUSD 5 | Oakland, 61943Rural: Distant | 9–12 | High | 67 |
| Eastern IL EFE System | Record | Clk/Cls/Cmbn/Dglas/Edgr/Mltr/Shlb | Mattoon, 61938Town: Distant | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
| Humboldt Bridges | Record | Clk/Cls/Cmbn/Dglas/Edgr/Mltr/Shlb | Humboldt, 61931Rural: Distant | 6–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| Humboldt TAOEP | Record | Clk/Cls/Cmbn/Dglas/Edgr/Mltr/Shlb | Charleston, 61920Town: Distant | 6–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| Lerna Bridges | Record | Clk/Cls/Cmbn/Dglas/Edgr/Mltr/Shlb | Lerna, 62440Rural: Distant | 6–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| Lerna TAOEP | Record | Clk/Cls/Cmbn/Dglas/Edgr/Mltr/Shlb | Charleston, 61920Town: Distant | 6–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| LIFE Academy | Record | Eastern IL Area of Spec Educ | Mattoon, 61938Town: Distant | PK–12 | Special Education | 0 |
| Mattoon Regional Innovation Ctr | Record | Mattoon CUSD 2 | Mattoon, 61938Town: Distant | 11–12 | Alternative | 0 |
Mattoon High School
Mattoon CUSD 2
Mattoon, 61938 / Town: Distant
Arland D Williams Jr Elem Sch
Mattoon CUSD 2
Mattoon, 61938 / Town: Distant
Carl Sandburg Elem School
Charleston CUSD 1
Charleston, 61920 / Town: Distant
Charleston Middle School
Charleston CUSD 1
Charleston, 61920 / Town: Distant
Mark Twain Elem School
Charleston CUSD 1
Charleston, 61920 / Town: Distant
Eastern IL EFE System
Clk/Cls/Cmbn/Dglas/Edgr/Mltr/Shlb
Mattoon, 61938 / Town: Distant
Humboldt Bridges
Clk/Cls/Cmbn/Dglas/Edgr/Mltr/Shlb
Humboldt, 61931 / Rural: Distant
Humboldt TAOEP
Clk/Cls/Cmbn/Dglas/Edgr/Mltr/Shlb
Charleston, 61920 / Town: Distant
Lerna Bridges
Clk/Cls/Cmbn/Dglas/Edgr/Mltr/Shlb
Lerna, 62440 / Rural: Distant
Lerna TAOEP
Clk/Cls/Cmbn/Dglas/Edgr/Mltr/Shlb
Charleston, 61920 / Town: Distant
LIFE Academy
Eastern IL Area of Spec Educ
Mattoon, 61938 / Town: Distant
Mattoon Regional Innovation Ctr
Mattoon CUSD 2
Mattoon, 61938 / Town: Distant
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,691
State avg $9,250
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Coles County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Illinois counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Illinois?
How should I read the school score in Coles County?
What is the graduation rate in Coles County?
How much does Coles County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Coles County, Illinois — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Coles County, Illinois?
Coles County supports 23 schools and 6,011 students within 3 primary districts. The landscape includes a wide range of facilities, featuring 10 high schools and various specialized alternative and special education centers.
What are the major school districts in Coles County, Illinois?
Mattoon CUSD 2 and Charleston CUSD 1 are the dominant districts, serving 3,137 and 2,622 students respectively. The county maintains a traditional educational structure with 0% charter school participation.
What is the school experience like in Coles County?
Most schools are located in town settings, leading to a larger average school size of 462 students. Mattoon High School is the largest campus with 999 students, followed by Charleston High with 766.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.