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Average

#1233 of 1,815 schools in CO

Central High School

High School · Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

550 WARRIOR WAY, Grand Junction, CO 81504

Enrollment

1,443

Student-Teacher

18.3:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,233 of 1,815

In Grand Junction

#24 of 32

public schools

In district

#28 of 43

Mesa County Valley School District No. 51

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Central High School

5.3/10

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

Grand Mesa Middle School

3.7/10

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

Pear Park Baptist School

Nearby

0.7 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 Grand Junction, CO, part of Mesa County Valley School District No. 51. Central High School serves approximately 1,443 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,233 of 1,815 schools in CO.

Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • CO avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

55% 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 Progress6.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness5.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate85%
AP Participation8.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,834
Chronic Absenteeism55.2%

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
64%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
65%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
26%
ELA
65%
2013
Math
25%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
19%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
25%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
19%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
21%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
32th percentile in CO
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.7
Sports
15
7 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
79 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
55.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
8.7% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics15sports offered
7 boys'·8 girls'·19 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

550 WARRIOR WAY, Grand Junction, CO 81504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mesa View Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chatfield Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LIFE ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Junction, see our Grand Junction schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Grand Mesa Middle School Grand Junction 0.2 mi 3.7
PEAR PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 0.7 mi
Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction 1.0 mi 4.3
Chatfield Elementary School Grand Junction 1.3 mi 7.0
Fruitvale Elementary School Grand Junction 1.3 mi 5.0
Pear Park Elementary School Grand Junction 1.7 mi 3.0
Clifton Elementary School Clifton 1.5 mi 2.9
Rocky Mountain Elementary School Clifton 1.7 mi 5.2
Bookcliff Middle School Grand Junction 2.0 mi 4.1
Career Center Preschool Grand Junction 2.1 mi 3.6
LIFE ACADEMY Grand Junction 2.3 mi 6.6
Nisley Elementary School Grand Junction 2.6 mi 4.0
Independence Academy Grand Junction 2.7 mi 6.6
Mesa View Elementary School Grand Junction 4.1 mi 7.1
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary School Grand Junction 4.0 mi 6.4
Mount Garfield Middle School Clifton 3.5 mi 5.3
Grand Mesa Youth Services Center Grand Junction 3.8 mi
R-5 High School Grand Junction 3.8 mi 4.7
Orchard Avenue Elementary School Grand Junction 3.8 mi 5.6
LANDMARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Grand Junction 4.2 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 81504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,907

Median Home Value

$290,300

Median Rent

$1,414/mo

Population

31,949

College Educated

21.2%

Homeownership

78.7%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

36.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Adams City High School Commerce City, CO 5.3
Falcon High School Peyton, CO 5.4
Harrison High School Colorado Springs, CO 5.4
Mesa Ridge High School Colorado Springs, CO 5.4
Widefield High School Colorado Springs, CO 5.4
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College Denver, CO 5.1

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 1,443 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 18.3:1. 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 CO?

Central High School ranks #1,233 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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?

58.6% 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,443
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
79
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Mesa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
55.2%
4-Year Graduation
85.0%

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