IT’s mixed news for Laois secondary school following the release of the Sunday Independent School League Tables.
The study of over 700 post primary schools nationwide examines the percentage of students who go on to take their place at 3rd level education facilities upon completion of their Leaving Certificate.
Of the ten secondary schools registered in the Laois area, five saw an increase in 2016 while the other five saw a drop in the numbers going on to pursue further education.
Mountmellick Community School topped the pile with 95% of students making the transition to 3rd level, an increase of 33% from 2015.
They were followed closely in second place by Knockbeg College with 92% while, despite dropping 9% from 2015, Mountrath Community School came third with 82%.
Portlaoise College propped up the Laois table with 46%, down five from 2015 and they are some way back from St Mary’s CBS Portlaoise who are ninth on 71%.
Indeed just eight percentage points separate Coláiste Ísogáin in fourth place with 81% to Scoil Críost Rí who are eighth on 73%. Clonaslee College, Heywood Community School and St Fergal’s College Rathdowney on 80%, 77% and 76% respectively make up the places in between.
In terms of the number of students who have gone on to study at universities from 2009 to 2016, Knockbeg College leads the way with 53% of students graduating from the Carlow boarder school progressing to study at the highest level.
