Needs Improvement
#1350 of 1,356 schools in AL
Central High School
High School · Phenix City
2400 Dobbs Dr, Phenix City, AL 36870
Enrollment
1,568
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
3.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,568
Student-Teacher
20.9:1
Score
3.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phenix City
#12 of 12
public schools
Alabama high schools
#304 of 308
In district
#11 of 11
Phenix City
About Central High School
Central High School serves 1,568 students in grades 9-12 in Phenix City, Alabama, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1 and 75 full-time equivalent teachers. Located on Dobbs Drive in Russell County, this public high school is positioned in a large suburban setting with room for significant academic growth. The school currently faces academic challenges, with 18% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 17% in mathematics across grade levels.
With a state ranking of #1232 out of 1,360 Alabama high schools, Central High School is working to improve student outcomes and close achievement gaps. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 reflects these ongoing academic development needs. Central High School serves a community where the median household income reaches $69,766, with median home values around $174,100.
About 24% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 11.6% in the surrounding ZIP code area of nearly 19,000 residents. The school operates within Phenix City's suburban landscape, providing educational services to families in this Russell County community along the Alabama-Georgia border.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 20.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Central High School — Students at Central High School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.2/10.
How Central High School Compares
See how Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 18% (2022).
Location
2400 Dobbs Dr, Phenix City, AL 36870
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lakewood Primary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Phenix City Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRUTH SPRING ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Columbus), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phenix City, see our Phenix City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Freshman Academy Phenix City | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Phenix City Intermediate School Phenix City | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| KNOWLEDGE WORKS LEARNING ACADEMY INC Phenix City | 0.8 mi | — |
| Phenix City Elementary School Phenix City | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Westview Elementary School Phenix City | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Lakewood Primary School Phenix City | 1.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Lakewood Elementary School Phenix City | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Sherwood Elementary School Phenix City | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| TEEN UNIVERSITY Phenix City | 2.6 mi | — |
| Ladonia Elementary School Phenix City | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy Columbus | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| GLENWOOD SCHOOL Smiths Station | 3.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Smiths Station High School Smiths Station | 3.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Ridgecrest Elementary School Phenix City | 3.7 mi | 6.9 |
| TRUTH SPRING ACADEMY Columbus | 3.2 mi | 7.7 |
| ST LUKE SCHOOL Columbus | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Fox Elementary School Columbus | 3.3 mi | 4.2 |
| NEW TESTAMENT BAPTIST SCHOOL Phenix City | 3.4 mi | — |
| Meadowlane Elementary School Phenix City | 3.8 mi | 5.7 |
| River Road Elementary School Columbus | 3.7 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36870 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,652
Median Home Value
$178,100
Median Rent
$972/mo
Population
19,672
College Educated
22.2%
Homeownership
80.9%
Avg Commute
27.3 min
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $69,652. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $178,100, with a median rent of $972/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Theodore High School Theodore, AL | 3.2 |
| Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School Montgomery, AL | 3.3 |
| Minor High School Adamsville, AL | 3.4 |
| Percy Julian High School Montgomery, AL | 3.4 |
| Paul W Bryant High School Cottondale, AL | 3.5 |
| ClayChalkville High School Pinson, AL | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central High School
What grades does Central High School serve?
Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Central High School?
Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,568 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central High School rank in AL?
Central High School is ranked #1350 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a composite rating of 3.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central High School has 27.3% math proficiency and 26.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central High School a charter school?
No, Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central High School a Title I school?
No, Central High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central High School?
73.6% of students at Central High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phenix City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,568
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 75
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Russell County
- Phone
- (334) 298-3626
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Phenix City- District Enrollment
- 7,276
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,259
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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