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Average

#1207 of 2,006 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

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#1,207 of 2,006

In Phoenix

#217 of 422

public schools

In district

#7 of 18

Phoenix Union High School District (4286)

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Central High School

5.8/10

High School in Phoenix · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pxu City

Nearby

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

Phoenix Coding Academy

8.5/10

0.1 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 Phoenix, AZ, part of Phoenix Union High School District (4286). Central High School serves approximately 1,758 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,207 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • AZ avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

71% 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 Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency24% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness5.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate67%
AP Participation5.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,194
Chronic Absenteeism70.9%

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
48%
ELA
69%
2010
Math
43%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
48%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
13%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
24%
2017
Math
36%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
13%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
16%
2022
Math
23%
ELA
25%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
40th percentile in AZ
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
6.5/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Sports
8
4 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
112 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
70.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
5.9% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics8sports offered
4 boys'·4 girls'·17 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

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. Phoenix Coding Academy (rated 8.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Phoenix College Preparatory Academy (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 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 8.5
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 7.2
BASIS Phoenix Central Primary Phoenix 0.7 mi 6.9
Girls Leadership Academy of Arizona Phoenix 0.7 mi 6.1
International Commerce High School - Phoenix Phoenix 0.9 mi 6.4
VALLEY LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL Phoenix 0.9 mi 7.8
Phoenix Modern Phoenix 0.9 mi 2.8
Osborn Middle School Phoenix 0.9 mi 4.5
AmeriSchools Academy - Camelback Phoenix 1.1 mi 3.6
NORTH PHOENIX BAPTIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL Phoenix 1.3 mi
Clarendon School Phoenix 1.2 mi 5.6
Longview Elementary School Phoenix 1.2 mi 5.8
Learning Institute The Phoenix 1.3 mi 4.3
Phoenix College Preparatory Academy Phoenix 1.4 mi 8.3
New World Educational Center Phoenix 1.4 mi 4.8
PHOENIX HEBREW ACADEMY Phoenix 1.5 mi 7.3
Encanto School Phoenix 1.4 mi 6.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Mountain Pointe High School Phoenix, AZ 5.8
North Canyon High School Phoenix, AZ 5.8
Rincon High School Tucson, AZ 5.8
Cortez High School Phoenix, AZ 5.7
Eastmark High School Mesa, AZ 5.7
Rio Rico High School Rio Rico, AZ 5.7

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 ranks #1,207 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
54 Good Transit
Bike Score
83 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
70.9%
4-Year Graduation
67.0%

How we rate schools

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