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Average

#500 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 48% 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

6.5

Grades

8th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#500 of 1,036

In Little Rock

#22 of 70

public schools

In district

#11 of 38

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Central High School

6.5/10

High School in Little Rock · grades 8th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Premier High School of Little Rock

4.6/10

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

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Nearby

0.5 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 Little Rock, AR, part of LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT. Central High School serves approximately 2,260 students, and covers grades 8th-12th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #500 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • AR avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Central High School is a large school: 2,260 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

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.

43% of students at Central High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.8Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.4% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.8% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-16.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected-16.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College Readiness8.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%
AP Participation34.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,959
Chronic Absenteeism42.5%

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

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 ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
16.1% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 54.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
32.7% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 37 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
59%
ELA
68%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
71%
ELA
81%
2014
Math
20%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
48%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
33%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
10.4%
ELA
34.8%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in AR
Academic
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
6.2/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.5
Sports
24
11 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
161 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
34.1% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics24sports offered
11 boys'·13 girls'·38 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

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 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is ARKANSAS CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL-ALEXANDER (rated 5.7/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF LITTLE ROCK (rated 4.6/10, 0.5 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 4.6
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE Little Rock 0.5 mi
IVY HILL PREPARATORY ACADEMY Little Rock 0.8 mi 7.9
M.L. KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 0.7 mi 3.7
DUNBAR MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock 0.8 mi 3.4
GIBBS MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 0.8 mi 8.2
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Little Rock 1.0 mi 7.5
STEPHENS ELEMENTARY Little Rock 0.9 mi 2.8
ARK. SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND ELEM Little Rock 1.1 mi 4.1
ARK. SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND H.S. Little Rock 1.1 mi 6.8
FRIENDSHIP ACADEMY LITTLE ROCK ELEMENTARY Little Rock 1.0 mi 6.1
FRIENDSHIP ASPIRE ACADEMY LITTLE ROCK MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock 1.0 mi 4.9
THE EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Little Rock 1.2 mi 6.5
ARK VIRTUAL ACADEMY MIDDLE SCH Little Rock 1.2 mi 3.5
ARK VIRTUAL ACADEMY ELEMENTARY Little Rock 1.2 mi 3.2
PULASKI HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 1.5 mi 7.8
PULASKI HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock 1.6 mi 5.8
THE CHILDRENS HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Little Rock 1.7 mi
ARKANSAS CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL-ALEXANDER Little Rock 1.6 mi 5.7
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock 1.7 mi 4.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CONWAY HIGH SCHOOL Conway, AR 6.5
CABOT HIGH SCHOOL Cabot, AR 6.6
NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR 6.7
ROGERS HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL Rogers, AR 6.3
ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL Rogers, AR 6.7
SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR 6.7

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 ranks #500 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% 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?

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.5%
4-Year Graduation
90.0%

District

LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
21,105
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,959
District Rank
#11 of 38

How we rate schools

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