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
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
8.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central High School — Students at Central High School score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.3/10.
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 8% (2019) to 4% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 16% (2019) to 14% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (870) 572-6744
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyGet 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.