For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 public middle schools serving 1,198 students in Coles County, IL.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Coles County, IL are Mattoon Middle School, Lerna Bridges and Life Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Coles County, IL public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Illinois public middle school average of 24%), and reading proficiency score of 23% (versus the 29% statewide average). Middle schools in Coles County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public middle school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Coles County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
Life Academy
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2405 Champaign Ave
Mattoon, IL 61938
(844) 999-9003
Mattoon, IL 61938
(844) 999-9003
Gr: PK-12
Rank: #44.
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 | 401 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #55.
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 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: n/an/a
Eastern Il Efe System
Vocational School
121 S 17th St Fl 3
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 258-6283
Mattoon, IL 61938
(217) 258-6283
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Shelbyville Taoep
Alternative School
730 7th St
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%
P O Box 129
Lerna, IL 62440
(217) 234-9298
Lerna, IL 62440
(217) 234-9298
Gr: K-3 | 54 students
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 middle schools in Coles County, IL?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Coles County, IL include Mattoon Middle School, Lerna Bridges and Life Academy.
How many public middle schools are located in Coles County?
8 public middle schools are located in Coles County.
What is the racial composition of students in Coles County?
Coles County public middle schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Illinois public middle schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Coles County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Coles County include: Charleston Middle School vs. Mattoon Middle School, Lerna Bridges vs. Life Academy, Lerna Bridges vs. Lerna Taoep
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