For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 1,869 students in Marion County, IL.
The top-ranked public high schools in Marion County, IL are Safe School Program Centralia, Odin Attendance Center 9-12 and Salem Community High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Marion County, IL public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 17% (versus the Illinois public high school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 20% (versus the 29% statewide average). High schools in Marion County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Illinois public high schools.
Marion County, IL public high school have a Graduation Rate of 76%, which is less than the Illinois average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Salem Community High School, with 85-89% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Illinois or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public high school average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Marion County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Safe School Program Centralia
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
501 N Elm St
Centralia, IL 62801
(618) 918-2733
Centralia, IL 62801
(618) 918-2733
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #22.
Odin Attendance Center 9-12
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
102 S Merritt St
Odin, IL 62870
(618) 740-4183
Odin, IL 62870
(618) 740-4183
Gr: 9-12 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Salem Community High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1200 N Broadway Ave
Salem, IL 62881
(618) 548-0727
Salem, IL 62881
(618) 548-0727
Gr: 9-12 | 706 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Centralia Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
501 N Elm St
Centralia, IL 62801
(618) 918-2733
Centralia, IL 62801
(618) 918-2733
Gr: 7-12
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Patoka Sr High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1220 Kinoka Rd
Patoka, IL 62875
(618) 432-5440
Patoka, IL 62875
(618) 432-5440
Gr: 9-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Sandoval Sr High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
859 W Missouri Ave
Sandoval, IL 62882
(618) 247-3361
Sandoval, IL 62882
(618) 247-3361
Gr: 9-12 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #77.
Centralia High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2100 E Calumet St
Centralia, IL 62801
(618) 532-7391
Centralia, IL 62801
(618) 532-7391
Gr: 9-12 | 887 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Marion County, IL?
The top-ranked public high schools in Marion County, IL include Safe School Program Centralia, Odin Attendance Center 9-12 and Salem Community High School.
How many public high schools are located in Marion County?
7 public high schools are located in Marion County.
What is the racial composition of students in Marion County?
Marion County public high schools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Illinois public high schools average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Marion County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Marion County include: Salem Community High School vs. Centralia High School, Centralia High School vs. Salem Community High School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.