Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) records show that 76.9 percent of Pope County High School's (PCHS) 2015 graduating class enrolled in college within 12 months of graduation.
The 2015 state average for students in public schools was 70 percent.
For PCHS, its college enrollment rate marks an improvement over 2014, when 60 percent of its graduates chose post-secondary education.
The data, collected by the National Student Clearinghouse, includes two- and four-year colleges.
Enrollment at PCHS in 2015 was 166; 45 (27.11 percent) were seniors.
Also according to ISBE, 34.1 percent of PCHS seniors were "college ready" in 2015, versus an average of 46 percent statewide.
All students who score a 21 on the ACT qualify as "college ready."
Among high schools in Southeast Illinois, the class of 2015 college readiness rate at Hardin County High School (31.4 percent), Herrin High School (36.3 percent) and Marion High School (42.4 percent) were higher than at PCHS. Egyptian Senior High School (8.7 percent) and Galatia High School (33.3 percent) were all lower.
PCHS students did better on reading (29.3 percent) and English (75.6 percent) and worse on math (4.9 percent) and science (19.5 percent).
Only 4.9 percent of PCHS students were college ready in all four subjects, according to ISBE.
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