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Average

#845 of 1,356 schools in AL

Central High School

High School · Tuscaloosa City

905 15th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Enrollment

834

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#845 of 1,356

In Tuscaloosa

#19 of 23

public schools

In district

#16 of 19

Tuscaloosa City

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Central High School

5.8/10

High School in Tuscaloosa · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

University Place Elementary School

7.5/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Central Elementary School

7.0/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central High School

Central High School is a public high school in Tuscaloosa, AL, part of Tuscaloosa City. Central High School serves approximately 834 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #845 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • AL avg 5.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-23.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation3.6%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,227
Chronic Absenteeism22.2%

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 31.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
2.5%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2016
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
12%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Central High School Compares

See how Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in AL
Academic
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.5
Sports
23
12 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered IB Programme
3.6% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·121 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
12 boys'·11 girls'·25 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

905 15th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Verner Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tuscaloosa, see our Tuscaloosa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
University Place Elementary School Tuscaloosa 0.7 mi 7.5
Central Elementary School Tuscaloosa 1.5 mi 7.0
Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa 1.6 mi 4.5
THE CAPITOL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 1.6 mi 6.8
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Elementary Tuscaloosa 1.8 mi 9.5
CollinsRiverside Middle School Northport 1.9 mi 4.3
Martin L King Jr Elementary School Tuscaloosa 1.8 mi 7.4
Tuscaloosa Magnet School Middle Tuscaloosa 1.8 mi 8.4
Matthews Elementary School Northport 2.0 mi 5.1
HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 2.0 mi 8.5
Skyland Elementary School Tuscaloosa 2.3 mi 6.9
NORTH RIVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 2.6 mi 5.1
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 2.4 mi 6.2
RIVERWOOD CLASSICAL SCHOOL Tuscaloosa 3.0 mi 6.7
TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 3.2 mi 6.7
Echols Middle School Northport 3.0 mi 4.4
Lloyd Wood Education Center Northport 3.0 mi 5.2
The Alberta School of Performing Arts Tuscaloosa 2.8 mi 8.2
BEAR CREEK ACADEMY Tuscaloosa 3.3 mi 5.6
Verner Elementary School Tuscaloosa 3.3 mi 8.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$30,031

Median Home Value

$141,100

Median Rent

$911/mo

Population

40,507

College Educated

26.6%

Homeownership

31.4%

Avg Commute

16 min

Poverty Rate

38.1%

Median Age

22.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Pike Road High School Pike Road, AL 5.8
Ranburne High School Ranburne, AL 5.8
Shades Valley High School Irondale, AL 5.8
Austin High School Decatur, AL 5.6
Central High School Florrence, AL 5.6
Decatur High School Decatur, AL 6.0

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 834 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 17:1. 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 ranks #845 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Central High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central High School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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?

84.1% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Bike Score
67 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
834
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Tuscaloosa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.2%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Tuscaloosa City
District Enrollment
11,207
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,227
District Rank
#16 of 19

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