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Very Good

#126 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 12% in state

Central High School

High School · LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

1500 PARK ST, Little Rock, AR 72202

Enrollment

2,260

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

7.9

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Little Rock

#8 of 70

public schools

Arkansas high schools

#19 of 277

In district

#2 of 38

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Central High School

Central High School serves 2,260 students in grades 8-12 in Little Rock, offering a comprehensive high school experience with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and 161 full-time teachers. This large public school ranks #546 out of 1,044 Arkansas schools, placing it in the 48th percentile statewide with room for academic growth. The school's test performance shows 42% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 33% reach proficiency in mathematics.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10, Central High School is working to strengthen student achievement across core academic areas. Located at 1500 Park Street, the school serves a diverse community where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, though the area faces economic challenges with a 19.2% poverty rate. The surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $46,162 and median home values of $221,200, reflecting a working-class community invested in education.

Central High School operates in Little Rock's mid-size city environment, providing students with access to urban resources and opportunities while maintaining the focused educational atmosphere of a established public institution serving one of Arkansas's most historically significant communities.

What Parents Should Know

Central High School is a large school with 2,260 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation34.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,597

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
38%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
33%
ELA
42%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
88th percentile in AR
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
161 teachers

Location

1500 PARK ST, Little Rock, AR 72202

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ARK. SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND H.S. (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF LITTLE ROCK (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, ARKANSAS CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL-ALEXANDER (rated 6.4/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Little Rock, see our Little Rock schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF LITTLE ROCK Little Rock 0.5 mi 7.3
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE Little Rock 0.5 mi
IVY HILL PREPARATORY ACADEMY Little Rock 0.8 mi 7.6
M.L. KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 0.7 mi 3.1
DUNBAR MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock 0.8 mi 5.2
GIBBS MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 0.8 mi 5.0
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Little Rock 1.0 mi 7.1
STEPHENS ELEMENTARY Little Rock 0.9 mi 3.1
ARK. SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND ELEM Little Rock 1.1 mi 3.7
ARK. SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND H.S. Little Rock 1.1 mi 8.4
FRIENDSHIP ACADEMY LITTLE ROCK ELEMENTARY Little Rock 1.0 mi 5.2
FRIENDSHIP ASPIRE ACADEMY LITTLE ROCK MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock 1.0 mi 6.5
THE EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Little Rock 1.2 mi 6.5
ARK VIRTUAL ACADEMY MIDDLE SCH Little Rock 1.2 mi 4.4
ARK VIRTUAL ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Little Rock 1.2 mi 5.1
PULASKI HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 1.5 mi 8.2
PULASKI HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock 1.6 mi 7.6
THE CHILDRENS HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Little Rock 1.7 mi
ARKANSAS CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL-ALEXANDER Little Rock 1.6 mi 6.4
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 1.7 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72202 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,167

Median Home Value

$246,900

Median Rent

$1,040/mo

Population

9,648

College Educated

48.6%

Homeownership

27.7%

Poverty Rate

14%

Median Age

38.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $54,167. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $246,900, with a median rent of $1,040/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HAR-BER HIGH SCHOOL Springdale, AR 7.9
BENTONVILLE WEST HIGH SCHOOL Centerton, AR 7.8
ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL Rogers, AR 7.6
SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR 7.6
THE ACADEMIES AT JONESBORO HIGH SCHOOL Jonesboro, AR 7.6
FAYETTEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Fayetteville, AR 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central High School

What grades does Central High School serve?

Central High School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Central High School?

Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,260 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 14:1. 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 #126 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 34.3% math proficiency and 44.0% 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?

53.9% 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
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,916/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Little Rock). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
2,260
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
161
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Pulaski County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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