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Average

#937 of 1,280 schools in IA

Central High School

High School · Davenport Comm School District

1120 Main St, Davenport, IA 52803

Enrollment

1,431

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Davenport

#6 of 22

public schools

Iowa high schools

#225 of 334

In district

#9 of 26

Davenport Comm School District

About Central High School

Central High School serves 1,431 students in grades 9-12 in Davenport, Iowa, with 88 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1. This regular public school is working to support student achievement, with 60% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 42% show proficiency in mathematics, indicating significant room for academic growth and development. The school draws from a diverse community in the 52803 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $60,420 and median home values average $147,700.

About one-third of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.6% of families experience poverty, reflecting the varied socioeconomic backgrounds of the student body that Central High serves. As one of the larger high schools in the district, Central High provides educational opportunities for a substantial student population, offering the potential for diverse course offerings and extracurricular activities that typically accompany schools of this size. The school's position in Iowa's ranking system places it in the 4th percentile, highlighting the ongoing efforts needed to enhance academic outcomes for its students.

Central High School sits in the heart of Davenport, a mid-size city along the Mississippi River in Scott County.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.97 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60%
Math vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.1 pts
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected-15.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness9.9Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.1%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,796

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.2%
School
State
67.3%
ELA Proficiency 62.8%
School
State
74.2%

Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
55%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
60%
2025
Math
49.1%
ELA
61.5%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
27th percentile in IA
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
88 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
18.1% participation·144 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1120 Main St, Davenport, IA 52803

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mid City High (rated 6.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rock Island High School (rated 4.3/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Rock Island), a more accessible option. For more schools in Davenport, see our Davenport schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Madison Elementary School Davenport 0.6 mi 3.0
Jefferson Elementary School Davenport 0.7 mi 3.5
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport 1.0 mi 6.3
ST PAUL THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport 1.1 mi 7.2
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Davenport 1.3 mi 5.8
Sudlow Intermediate Davenport 1.2 mi 4.3
Garfield Elementary School Davenport 1.5 mi 4.1
Children's Village West Davenport 1.4 mi 5.5
Children's Village At Hoover Davenport 1.4 mi 5.3
Rock Island Academy Rock Island 2.0 mi 6.8
Adams Elementary School Davenport 1.8 mi 3.1
Frank L Smart Intermediate Davenport 1.6 mi 3.5
Mid City High Davenport 2.0 mi 6.0
Williams Intermediate Davenport 1.9 mi 5.3
RICMS Rock Island 2.4 mi 5.1
JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport 2.5 mi 7.6
Eisenhower Elementary School Davenport 2.2 mi 4.6
McKinley Elementary School Davenport 2.1 mi 5.9
Longfellow Elem School Rock Island 2.5 mi 5.1
Rock Island High School Rock Island 3.1 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,082

Median Home Value

$157,900

Median Rent

$871/mo

Population

21,868

College Educated

34.9%

Homeownership

66.1%

Avg Commute

18.3 min

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Median Age

36.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $61,082. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,900, with a median rent of $871/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
North High School Davenport, IA 5.5
Waukee High School Waukee, IA 5.5
Dallas Center-Grimes High School Grimes, IA 5.4
Dubuque Senior High School Dubuque, IA 5.6
East High School Waterloo, IA 5.6
West High School Davenport, IA 5.6

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 1,431 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 16.3:1. 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 IA?

Central High School is ranked #937 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central High School has 48.2% math proficiency and 62.8% 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.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central High School?

43.5% 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
81 Very Walkable
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,141/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Davenport). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,431
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
88
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Scott County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Davenport Comm School District
District Enrollment
13,523
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,393
District Rank
#9 of 26

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 methodology

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