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Needs Improvement

#1140 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

3.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,140 of 1,280

In Davenport

#9 of 22

public schools

In district

#13 of 26

Davenport Comm School District

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Central High School

3.9/10

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

Madison Elementary School

1.7/10

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

Jefferson Elementary School

2.0/10

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 Davenport, IA, part of Davenport Comm School District. Central High School serves approximately 1,431 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,140 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • IA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

60% 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 Progress2.9Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.5% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-17.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.6 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)71% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-15.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness6.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate79%
AP Participation18.1%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,393
Chronic Absenteeism59.5%

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

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 62.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.3% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 70.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.2% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
73%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
79%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
80%
ELA
81%
2015
Math
80%
ELA
79%
2016
Math
76%
ELA
76%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
78%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
45%
ELA
64%
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: 2.9/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
11th percentile in IA
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 1.7
Sports
16
8 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
88 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
59.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered IB Programme
18.1% participation·State avg: 1.7 AP courses·144 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics16sports offered
8 boys'·8 girls'·16 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 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

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 5.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rock Island High School (rated 5.0/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Rock Island), which scores notably higher. 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 1.7
Jefferson Elementary School Davenport 0.7 mi 2.0
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 5.0
Garfield Elementary School Davenport 1.5 mi 2.9
Children's Village West Davenport 1.4 mi 2.8
Children's Village At Hoover Davenport 1.4 mi 2.6
Rock Island Academy Rock Island 2.0 mi 6.2
Adams Elementary School Davenport 1.8 mi 2.8
Frank L Smart Intermediate Davenport 1.6 mi 1.9
Mid City High Davenport 2.0 mi 5.4
Williams Intermediate Davenport 1.9 mi 1.9
RICMS Rock Island 2.4 mi 4.3
JOHN F KENNEDY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Davenport 2.5 mi 7.6
Eisenhower Elementary School Davenport 2.2 mi 4.4
McKinley Elementary School Davenport 2.1 mi 4.9
Longfellow Elem School Rock Island 2.5 mi 4.5
Rock Island High School Rock Island 3.1 mi 5.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln High School Council Bluffs, IA 3.8
East High School Sioux City, IA 4.0
George Washington High School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.0
North High School Des Moines, IA 3.8
Hempstead High School Dubuque, IA 3.7
Marshalltown High School Marshalltown, IA 3.7

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 1,431 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 ranks #1,140 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
59.5%
4-Year Graduation
79.0%

District

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

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