Brown County High School, or BCHS, is a public four-year high school located at 500 East Main Street in Mount Sterling, Illinois, a small city in Brown County, Illinois, in the Midwestern United States. BCHS serves the communities of Mount Sterling, Ripley, Timewell, and Versailles.
Serving 224 students in grades 9-12, Brown County High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Illinois for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 20-29% (which is approximately equal to the Illinois state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 40-49% (which is higher than the Illinois state average of 30%).
The student-teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the Illinois state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Illinois state average of 55% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 224 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 8%
- Graduation Rate: ≥90% (Top 50% in IL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 20-29% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 40-49% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 60-69% (Top 30%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Brown County High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Brown County High School's student population of 224 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 18 teachers has declined by 14% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
224 students
Total Classroom Teachers
18 teachers
Colors
Gold, Kelly green
School Rankings
Brown County High School ranks within the top 50% of all 3,542 schools in Illinois (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Brown County High School is 0.15, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1074 out of 3542 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-49%
30%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-69%
50%
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
6%
Hispanic
4%
29%
Black
2%
16%
White
92%
45%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥90%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
26%
43%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Brown County CUSD 1 School District
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brown County High School's ranking?
Brown County High School is ranked #1074 out of 3,542 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Illinois.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
20-29% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% IL state average), while 40-49% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 30% IL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Brown County High School?
The graduation rate of Brown County High School is 90%, which is higher than the Illinois state average of 87%.
How many students attend Brown County High School?
224 students attend Brown County High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
92% of Brown County High School students are White, 4% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Black, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Brown County High School?
Brown County High School has a student ration of 12:1, which is lower than the Illinois state average of 13:1.
What grades does Brown County High School offer ?
Brown County High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Brown County High School part of?
Brown County High School is part of Brown County CUSD 1 School District.
School Reviews
Review Brown County High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
