Skip to main content

Very Good

#235 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 23% in state

Central High School

High School · HELENA / WEST HELENA SCHOOL DISTRICT

103 SCHOOL RD, West Helena, AR 72390

Enrollment

436

Student-Teacher

8.1:1

Score

7.4

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas high schools

#64 of 277

In district

#1 of 2

HELENA / WEST HELENA SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Central High School

Central High School in West Helena, Arkansas, serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 436 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8.1:1, the school benefits from small class sizes that allow for individualized attention. Central High has 54 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.

The academic performance at Central High School currently ranks in the lower quartile statewide, with an ELA proficiency rate of 14% and a math proficiency rate of just 5%. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is committed to focusing on student development and providing additional support to help students succeed. Central High School is situated in West Helena, a remote town where community ties are strong.

The setting offers a close-knit environment that fosters a sense of belonging among its students and families.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Central High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.1:1, Central High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency14%
Overall Proficiency9%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-17.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation32.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,123

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 5.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 14.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
8%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
4%
ELA
13%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
14%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in AR
Academic
2.0/10
2.0/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Location

103 SCHOOL RD, West Helena, AR 72390

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ROSA FORT HIGH SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Tunica), which scores notably higher. Another option is LEE ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Clarksdale), with a very similar rating. Additionally, KIPP:DELTA COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Helena), with a comparable rating. For more schools in West Helena, see our West Helena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.3 mi
School Distance Rating
KIPP DELTA ELEM LITERACY ACAD Helena 0.4 mi 6.0
J.F. WAHL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Helena 0.8 mi 5.9
DESOTO SCHOOL West Helena 1.4 mi 6.3
KIPP:DELTA COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL Helena 2.5 mi 5.4
KIPP:DELTA COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL Helena 2.6 mi 7.1
BARTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Barton 8.1 mi 4.5
BARTON HIGH SCHOOL Barton 8.1 mi 6.1
DUNDEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dundee 9.8 mi 6.6
FRIARS POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale 12.8 mi 5.2
ANNA STRONG LEARNING ACADEMY Marianna 17.5 mi 6.0
JONESTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale 17.7 mi 7.9
TUNICA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tunica 16.8 mi 5.7
LEE HIGH SCHOOL Marianna 18.7 mi 5.3
MARVELL-ELAINE HIGH SCHOOL Marvell 16.5 mi 5.1
MARVELL-ELAINE ELEMENTARY SCH Marvell 16.6 mi 4.2
ROSA FORT HIGH SCHOOL Tunica 18.0 mi 9.0
TUNICA MIDDLE SCHOOL Tunica 18.1 mi 7.7
LEE ACADEMY Clarksdale 22.6 mi 7.2
COAHOMA COUNTY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Clarksdale 23.3 mi 6.1
ST ELIZABETH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clarksdale 23.3 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72390 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$33,700

Median Home Value

$66,000

Median Rent

$778/mo

Population

7,080

College Educated

12.3%

Homeownership

56.7%

Poverty Rate

31.5%

Median Age

32.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $33,700. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $66,000, with a median rent of $778/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DES ARC HIGH SCHOOL Des Arc, AR 7.4
DOVER HIGH SCHOOL Dover, AR 7.4
DUMAS HIGH SCHOOL Dumas, AR 7.4
EAST POINSETT CO. HIGH SCHOOL Lepanto, AR 7.4
HAAS HALL ACADEMY Farmington, AR 7.4
MELBOURNE HIGH SCHOOL Melbourne, AR 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central High School

What grades does Central High School serve?

Central High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Central High School?

Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 436 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 8.1:1. 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 AR?

Central High School is ranked #235 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 5.3% math proficiency and 14.3% 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?

100.0% 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
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (258/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Phillips County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HELENA / WEST HELENA SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
977
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,610
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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 methodology

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.