The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) said 42.4 percent of Marion High School's (MHS) 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."
MHS students did better on reading (40.3 percent) and English (59.2 percent), and worse on science (34.9 percent) and math (37 percent).
Only 23.5 percent of MHS students were college ready in all four subjects, according to ISBE.
The 2015 state average was 25 percent.
Among high schools in Williamson County, the class of 2015 college readiness rate at Carterville High School (61.5 percent) was higher than at MHS. Crab Orchard High School (28.9 percent), Johnston City High School (29.9 percent) and Herrin High School (36.3 percent) were all lower.
Enrollment at MHS in 2015 was 1,119; 308 students (27.52 percent) were freshmen; 251 (22.43 percent) were seniors.
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