Average
#3916 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 41% in state
Central Union High
High School · Central Union High
1001 Brighton Ave., EL Centro, CA 92243
Enrollment
1,955
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,955
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In EL Centro
#5 of 21
public schools
California high schools
#758 of 1,892
In district
#2 of 4
Central Union High
Academic growth
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Central Union High
Central Union High serves 1,955 students in grades 9-12 in El Centro, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 21.2:1 across 92 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #3040 out of 9566 California high schools, placing it in the 68th percentile statewide. Academically, Central Union High shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 61% of students testing proficient or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with significant room for growth, as 24% of students currently achieve proficiency. These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development and academic improvement. The school is situated in Imperial County's small city setting, serving a diverse community where the median household income is $54,250 and median home value reaches $260,400.
The surrounding ZIP code area of 92243 houses nearly 49,200 residents, with 16% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 21.5%. Central Union High operates as a regular public school in El Centro's close-knit community, where families value education despite economic challenges that many students face in this Imperial Valley region.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Central Union High is 21.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Central Union High — Students at Central Union High score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from CA 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 Union High Compares
See how Central Union High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 21% (2019) to 23.77% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 63% (2019) to 61.41% (2024).
Location
1001 Brighton Ave., EL Centro, CA 92243
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Union High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Southwest High (rated 7.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Desert Oasis High (Continuation) (rated 5.2/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Mt. Signal Virtual Academy (rated 5.2/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in EL Centro, see our EL Centro schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson Jr. High El Centro | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Lincoln Elementary El Centro | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Ballington Academy for the Arts and Sciences San Diego | 0.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Harding Elementary El Centro | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Margaret Hedrick Elementary El Centro | 0.6 mi | 3.8 |
| ST MARY S SCHOOL El Centro | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Christian Home Academy El Centro | 0.8 mi | — |
| St. Marys School El Centro | 0.7 mi | — |
| De Anza Magnet El Centro | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Desert Garden Elementary El Centro | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Kennedy Middle El Centro | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| McKinley Elementary El Centro | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Desert Oasis High (Continuation) El Centro | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Phoenix Rising High El Centro | 1.0 mi | — |
| Imperial Valley Home School Academy El Centro | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Sunflower Elementary El Centro | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary El Centro | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Southwest High El Centro | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Booker T. Washington Elementary El Centro | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Mt. Signal Virtual Academy El Centro | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92243 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,890
Median Home Value
$286,100
Median Rent
$992/mo
Population
48,556
College Educated
16.2%
Homeownership
51.5%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
20.2%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Union High has a median household income of $55,890. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $286,100, with a median rent of $992/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Angelo Rodriguez High Fairfield, CA | 6.7 |
| Cesar E. Chavez High Delano, CA | 6.7 |
| Everett Alvarez High Salinas, CA | 6.7 |
| Franklin High Stockton, CA | 6.7 |
| James Monroe High North Hills, CA | 6.7 |
| John W. North High Riverside, CA | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Union High
What grades does Central Union High serve?
Central Union High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Central Union High?
Central Union High has an enrollment of approximately 1,955 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Union High?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Union High is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Union High rank in CA?
Central Union High is ranked #3916 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Central Union High's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Union High has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Union High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Union High has 22.4% math proficiency and 62.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Union High a charter school?
No, Central Union High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Union High a Title I school?
No, Central Union High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Union High?
73.4% of students at Central Union High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (EL Centro). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,955
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 92
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Imperial County
- Phone
- (760) 336-4300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Union High- District Enrollment
- 4,023
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,038
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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 methodologyRelated reading
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