Average
#2795 of 3,813 schools in IL
Charleston High School
High School · Charleston CUSD 1
1615 Lincoln Ave, Charleston, IL 61920
Enrollment
780
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
780
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charleston
#3 of 5
public schools
Illinois high schools
#554 of 703
In district
#4 of 6
Charleston CUSD 1
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Charleston High School
Charleston High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Charleston, Illinois, a remote town in Coles County. With 780 students and 47 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1, allowing for reasonably sized classes. Academically, Charleston High is working toward stronger performance in core subjects.
Currently, 33% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 26% meet proficiency standards in Math. The school holds a rating of 5.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's scale, placing it in the 48th percentile statewide and ranking #1982 among Illinois's 3,819 schools. This reflects a school with room for academic growth, and the administration is focused on student development across multiple areas.
As a regular public high school, Charleston High offers a traditional four-year secondary education experience. The remote rural setting of Charleston provides a tight-knit community atmosphere for students and families in the area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Charleston High School — Students at Charleston High School score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.
How Charleston High School Compares
See how Charleston High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 20% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
1615 Lincoln Ave, Charleston, IL 61920
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Charleston High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kansas High School (rated 7.5/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Kansas), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakland High School (rated 6.8/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Oakland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cumberland High School (rated 5.8/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Toledo), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Charleston, see our Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston Middle School Charleston | 0.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Mark Twain Elem School Charleston | 0.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Jefferson Elem School Charleston | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Carl Sandburg Elem School Charleston | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| NEW HEIGHTS ACADEMY Charleston | 4.4 mi | — |
| Ashmore Elem School Ashmore | 8.3 mi | 6.5 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mattoon | 10.1 mi | 5.8 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mattoon | 10.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Franklin Elementary School Mattoon | 10.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Mattoon Middle School Mattoon | 10.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Arland D Williams Jr Elem Sch Mattoon | 10.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Mattoon High School Mattoon | 11.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Lake Crest Elem School Oakland | 14.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Oakland High School Oakland | 14.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Cumberland Middle School Toledo | 15.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Cumberland High School Toledo | 15.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Cumberland Elem School Toledo | 15.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Kansas Elem School Kansas | 12.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Kansas High School Kansas | 12.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Riddle Elementary School Mattoon | 13.3 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 61920 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,229
Median Home Value
$144,700
Median Rent
$823/mo
Population
20,703
College Educated
35.4%
Homeownership
53.3%
Avg Commute
16.3 min
Poverty Rate
21.2%
Median Age
30.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Charleston High School has a median household income of $54,229. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,700, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Benton Cons High School Benton, IL | 5.3 |
| Foreman High School Chicago, IL | 5.3 |
| Genoa-Kingston High School Genoa, IL | 5.3 |
| Olympia High School Stanford, IL | 5.3 |
| Streator Twp High School Streator, IL | 5.3 |
| Chicago Vocational Career Acad HS Chicago, IL | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Charleston High School
What grades does Charleston High School serve?
Charleston High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Charleston High School?
Charleston High School has an enrollment of approximately 780 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Charleston High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Charleston High School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Charleston High School rank in IL?
Charleston High School is ranked #2795 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Charleston High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Charleston High School has a composite rating of 5.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Charleston High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charleston High School has 26.0% math proficiency and 32.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Charleston High School a charter school?
No, Charleston High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Charleston High School a Title I school?
No, Charleston High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Charleston High School?
49.6% of students at Charleston High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,153/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Charleston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 780
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Coles County
- Phone
- (217) 639-5000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charleston CUSD 1- District Enrollment
- 2,652
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,841
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.