The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) said 39.5 percent of New Athens High School's (NAHS) 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."
NAHS students did better in reading (32.6 percent) and English (60.5 percent), and worse in math (27.9) and science (30.2).
Only 16.3 percent of NAHS students were college ready in all four subjects, ISBE said.
The 2015 state average was 25 percent.
Among other high schools in St. Clair County, Class of 2015 college-readiness rates at O. Fallon High School (67.8 percent), Marissa Junior & Senior High School (46.4 percent), Belleville High School-East (44.5 percent) and Lebanon High School (43.2 percent) were all higher than at NAHS. Cahokia High School (8.9 percent), Dupo High School (30.3 percent) and Belleville High School-West (39.4 percent) were all lower.
Enrollment at NAHS in 2015 was 195, with 62 (31.79 percent) freshmen and 45 (23.08 percent) seniors.
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