The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) said 41.0 percent of Pleasant Plains High School's (PPHS) 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 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."
PPHS students did better on reading (33.3 percent) and English (65.0 percent), and worse on science (29.1) and math (29.9).
Only 14.5 percent of PPHS students were college ready in all four subjects, ISBE said. That's down from 27.8 in 2014.
The 2015 state average for college readiness in all four subjects was 25 percent.
Among high schools in Sangamon County, Class of 2015 college-readiness rates at Williamsville High School (69.6 percent), Glenwood High School (63.1 percent) and Springfield High School (52.4 percent) were all higher than at PPHS. Lanphier High School (21.1 percent) and Springfield Southeast High School (26.9 percent) were lower.
Enrollment at PPHS in 2015 was 441; 120 students (27.21 percent) were freshmen; 110 (24.94 percent) were seniors.
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