Very Good
#372 of 1,036 schools in AR
Top 36% 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
7.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
8.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
7th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#372 of 1,036
In district
#2 of 2
HELENA / WEST HELENA SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Central High School
High School in West Helena · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Kipp Delta Elem Literacy Acad
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
J.f. Wahl Elementary School
0.8 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 West Helena, AR, part of HELENA / WEST HELENA SCHOOL DISTRICT. Central High School serves approximately 436 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 8.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #372 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- AR avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Central High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
At 8.1:1 students to teachers, Central High School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Central High School — Students at Central High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)
Based on 40 test records from AR 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: 7.8/10.
How Central High School Compares
See how Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.3/10, 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, BARTON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Barton), with a very similar 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 | 3.8 |
| J.F. WAHL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Helena | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| DESOTO SCHOOL West Helena | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| KIPP:DELTA COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL Helena | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| KIPP:DELTA COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL Helena | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| BARTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Barton | 8.1 mi | 5.4 |
| BARTON HIGH SCHOOL Barton | 8.1 mi | 6.8 |
| DUNDEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dundee | 9.8 mi | 4.9 |
| FRIARS POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale | 12.8 mi | 7.1 |
| ANNA STRONG LEARNING ACADEMY Marianna | 17.5 mi | 7.7 |
| JONESTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale | 17.7 mi | 6.3 |
| TUNICA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tunica | 16.8 mi | 6.6 |
| LEE HIGH SCHOOL Marianna | 18.7 mi | 5.4 |
| MARVELL-ELAINE HIGH SCHOOL Marvell | 16.5 mi | 5.3 |
| MARVELL-ELAINE ELEMENTARY SCH Marvell | 16.6 mi | 3.8 |
| ROSA FORT HIGH SCHOOL Tunica | 18.0 mi | 8.3 |
| TUNICA MIDDLE SCHOOL Tunica | 18.1 mi | 7.2 |
| LEE ACADEMY Clarksdale | 22.6 mi | 7.2 |
| COAHOMA COUNTY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Clarksdale | 23.3 mi | 5.0 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| POTTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Pottsville, AR | 7.0 |
| DES ARC HIGH SCHOOL Des Arc, AR | 6.9 |
| ELKINS HIGH SCHOOL Elkins, AR | 6.9 |
| ESTEM HIGH SCHOOL Little Rock, AR | 6.9 |
| FOUKE HIGH SCHOOL Fouke, AR | 6.9 |
| HORATIO HIGH SCHOOL Horatio, AR | 6.9 |
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 ranks #372 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.2%
- Phone
- (870) 572-6744
- 4-Year Graduation
- 82.0%
Resources & Links
District
HELENA / WEST HELENA SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 977
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,610
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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