East Central Reporter

Mattoon Community Unit School District 2 had the highest enrollment among Coles County districts, welcoming 3,003 students during the 2023-24 school year, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Of all the students welcomed in the 2023-24 school year, 50.6% of them were boys, and 49.4% were girls.

Data also showed that the majority of students identified themselves as white, making up 80.2% of the Mattoon Community Unit School District 2's total enrollment.

Among the three districts in Coles County, Charleston Community Unit School District 1 ranked second in enrollment numbers with 2,481 students, while Oakland Community Unit School District 5 welcomed 245 students and ranked third in the 2023-24 school year.

Mattoon Community Unit School District 2 roughly covers schools within Coles County with its main office in Mattoon.

In the previous school year, Mattoon Community Unit School District 2 also had the highest number of students among Coles County districts.

Illinois has approved a new budget for 2025 that increases funds for K-12 education to $8.6 billion, $350 million above 2024.

Lawmakers also approved a new bill that creates a statewide child tax credit, which allows families to receive $300 per child under 17 years. This comes after a similar aid was granted from the federal government, as part of the American Rescue Plan.

District	City (main office)	Total Enrollment
Mattoon Community Unit School District 2	Mattoon	3,003
Charleston Community Unit School District 1	Charleston	2,481
Oakland Community Unit School District 5	Oakland	245