Below Average
#1650 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Central High School
High School · Phoenix Union High School District (4286)
4525 N CENTRAL AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Enrollment
1,758
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,758
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Phoenix
#320 of 398
public schools
Arizona high schools
#375 of 429
In district
#9 of 18
Phoenix Union High School District (4286)
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Central High School
Central High School serves 1,758 students in grades 9-12 in Phoenix, Arizona, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1 across 112 full-time equivalent teachers. Located at 4525 N Central Ave, this regular public school ranks #1202 out of 2029 Arizona high schools, placing it in the 41st percentile statewide. Academically, Central High School has room for growth, with 25% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and 23% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
The school receives a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10, reflecting opportunities for continued student development and academic improvement. The school sits within ZIP code 85012, a well-established area where the median household income is $74,435 and median home values reach $632,000. The surrounding community is highly educated, with 61% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 11.8% among the 7,871 residents.
Central High School operates in Phoenix's urban landscape, providing education within Arizona's largest city where students have access to the cultural and professional opportunities that come with a metropolitan setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Central High School — Students at Central High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AZ 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: 4.6/10.
How Central High School Compares
See how Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 23% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
4525 N CENTRAL AVE, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Phoenix Coding Academy (rated 6.9/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, International Commerce High School - Phoenix (rated 6.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Phoenix, see our Phoenix schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PXU City Phoenix | 0.1 mi | — |
| Phoenix Coding Academy Phoenix | 0.1 mi | 6.9 |
| BROPHY COLLEGE PREPARATORY Phoenix | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| XAVIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY Phoenix | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Montecito Community School Phoenix | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| BASIS Phoenix Central Primary Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Girls Leadership Academy of Arizona Phoenix | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| International Commerce High School - Phoenix Phoenix | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Phoenix | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Phoenix Modern Phoenix | 0.9 mi | 3.1 |
| Osborn Middle School Phoenix | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| AmeriSchools Academy - Camelback Phoenix | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| NORTH PHOENIX BAPTIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL Phoenix | 1.3 mi | — |
| Clarendon School Phoenix | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Longview Elementary School Phoenix | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Learning Institute The Phoenix | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Phoenix College Preparatory Academy Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| New World Educational Center Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| PHOENIX HEBREW ACADEMY Phoenix | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Encanto School Phoenix | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,242
Median Home Value
$701,200
Median Rent
$1,693/mo
Population
8,880
College Educated
60%
Homeownership
39%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
13.3%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $80,242. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $701,200, with a median rent of $1,693/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| La Joya Community High School Avondale, AZ | 4.9 |
| Mingus Union High School Cottonwood, AZ | 4.9 |
| Moon Valley High School Phoenix, AZ | 4.9 |
| Sunnyside High School Tucson, AZ | 4.9 |
| Cibola High School Yuma, AZ | 5.0 |
| Dysart High School El Mirage, AZ | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central High School
What grades does Central High School serve?
Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Central High School?
Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,758 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 15.7:1. 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 AZ?
Central High School is ranked #1650 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 25.0% math proficiency and 24.3% 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.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 73 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 54 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 83 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,139/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Phoenix). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,758
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 112
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (602) 764-7500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Phoenix Union High School District (4286)- District Enrollment
- 26,753
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,194
- District Rank
- #9 of 18
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 methodologyRelated reading
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