The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) said 44.2 percent of Gillespie High School's (GHS) 2015 senior class was "college ready."
The state average for college readiness in 2015 was 46 percent. Northside College Preparatory High School (98.1 percent) had the highest college-readiness rate in the state. Robeson High School (zero percent) had the lowest.
All students who score a 21 or higher on the ACT qualify as "college ready."
"(This score) shows that students have learned important academic skills that they will need in order to succeed in college and careers," ISBE wrote in its analysis. "While academic preparation is an essential part of readiness for college and careers, students also need persistence, motivation, time management and technical skills."
GHS students did better in reading (39.0 percent) and English (66.2 percent), and worse in science (22.1) and math (36.4).
Only 11.7 percent of GHS students were college ready in all four subjects, ISBE said.
The 2015 state average was 25 percent.
Among other high schools in MacOupin County, Class of 2015 college-readiness rates at North Mac High School (49.4 percent), Carlinville High School (49.1 percent), Staunton High School (47.7 percent) and Bunker Hill High School (45.1 percent) were all higher than at GHS. Northwestern High School (38.9 percent), Southwestern High School (40.8 percent) and Mount Olive High School (42.9 percent) were all lower.
Enrollment at GHS in 2015 was 364, with 85 (23.35 percent) freshmen and 77 (21.15 percent) seniors.
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