Average
#590 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 46% in state
Central City High School
High School · Central City Comm School District
400 Barber Street, Central City, IA 52214
Enrollment
225
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
225
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Central City
#2 of 2
public schools
Iowa high schools
#114 of 334
In district
#2 of 2
Central City Comm School District
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Central City High School
Central City High School is a regular public school in Central City, Iowa, located in Linn County. The school serves students from sixth grade through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 225 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers personalized attention to its students.
Central City High School’s academic performance shows areas for improvement, as indicated by their MySchoolScout Rating of 4.1 out of 10 and state ranking of #995 out of 1288 schools in Iowa (23rd percentile). Students perform well above average in ELA/Reading with 75% proficiency or above, while Math scores are at 60% proficient or above and Science scores stand at 53%. The school is focused on developing its academic programs to better support student success.
Set against the backdrop of a rural area, Central City High School provides a close-knit community setting where students can engage in their education within a supportive environment.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Central City High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Central City High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Central City High School — Students at Central City High School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 20 test records from IA 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: 6.2/10.
How Central City High School Compares
See how Central City High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
400 Barber Street, Central City, IA 52214
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central City High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Springville Secondary School (rated 7.7/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Springville), which scores notably higher. Another option is North-Linn Senior High School (rated 6.5/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Troy Mills), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Linn-Mar High School (rated 5.7/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Marion), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Central City, see our Central City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central City Elementary School Central City | 0.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Alburnett Elementary School Alburnett | 6.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Alburnett Senior High School Alburnett | 6.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Alburnett Middle School Alburnett | 6.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Boulder Peak Intermediate School Marion | 10.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Hazel Point Intermediate School Marion | 10.2 mi | 7.4 |
| North-Linn Middle School Troy Mills | 9.0 mi | 6.8 |
| North-Linn Senior High School Troy Mills | 9.0 mi | 6.5 |
| North Linn Elementary Troy Mills | 9.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Echo Hill Elementary Marion | 10.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Oak Ridge Middle School Marion | 10.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Linn Grove Elementary School Marion | 11.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Excelsior Middle School Marion | 11.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Indian Creek Elementary School Marion | 11.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Linn-Mar High School Marion | 11.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Springville Elementary School Springville | 11.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Springville Secondary School Springville | 11.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Wilkins Elementary School Marion | 11.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Novak Elementary School Marion | 11.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Longfellow Elementary Marion | 12.3 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 52214 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,450
Median Home Value
$235,400
Median Rent
$825/mo
Population
2,770
College Educated
22.3%
Homeownership
85.8%
Avg Commute
27.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
45.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central City High School has a median household income of $83,450. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $235,400, with a median rent of $825/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Akron Westfield Senior High School Akron, IA | 6.5 |
| COLUMBUS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Waterloo, IA | 6.5 |
| North-Linn Senior High School Troy Mills, IA | 6.5 |
| Rockford Junior-Senior High School Rockford, IA | 6.5 |
| South O'Brien Secondary School Paullina, IA | 6.5 |
| Boyden-Hull High School Hull, IA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central City High School
What grades does Central City High School serve?
Central City High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Central City High School?
Central City High School has an enrollment of approximately 225 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central City High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central City High School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central City High School rank in IA?
Central City High School is ranked #590 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Central City High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central City High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 City High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central City High School has 59.5% math proficiency and 74.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central City High School a charter school?
No, Central City High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central City High School a Title I school?
No, Central City High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central City High School?
34.7% of students at Central City 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (65/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 225
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Linn County
- Phone
- (319) 438-6182
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central City Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 441
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,484
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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