Kankakee Times

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) said 42.1 percent of Grant Park High School's (GPHS) 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 or higher 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."

GPHS students did better in science (39.5 percent) and English (55.3 percent), and worse in math (31.6) and reading (36.8).

Only 23.7 percent of GPHS students were college ready in all four subjects, ISBE said.

The 2015 state average was 25 percent.

Among other high schools in Kankakee County, Class of 2015 college-readiness rates at Herscher High School (53.6 percent), Bradley-Bourbonnais C High School (52.3 percent) and Manteno High School (50.9 percent) were all higher than at GPHS. Kankakee High School (22.1 percent) and Momence High School (28.7 percent) were all lower.

Enrollment at GPHS in 2015 was 158, with 38 (24.05 percent)  freshmen and 39 (24.68 percent) seniors.