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Very Good

#663 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 17% in state

Central High School

High School · Champaign CUSD 4

610 W University Ave, Champaign, IL 61820

Enrollment

1,642

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#663 of 3,813

In Champaign

#1 of 17

public schools

In district

#2 of 18

Champaign CUSD 4

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Central High School

7.8/10

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

Holy Cross Elementary School

6.7/10

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

Franklin Middle School

5.4/10

0.6 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 Champaign, IL, part of Champaign CUSD 4. Central High School serves approximately 1,642 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #663 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.2
  • IL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

46% 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 Progress9.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness8.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,009
Chronic Absenteeism46.3%

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
51%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
45%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
46%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
13%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
38%
2022
ELA
35%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
83th percentile in IL
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.7
Sports
16
7 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
119 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
25% participation·State avg: 2.7 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics16sports offered
7 boys'·9 girls'·27 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

610 W University Ave, Champaign, IL 61820

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ACADEMY HIGH (rated 7.2/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Centennial High School (rated 6.6/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, University of Illinois High Sch (rated 6.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Urbana), a more accessible option. For more schools in Champaign, see our Champaign schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Champaign 0.2 mi 6.7
Franklin Middle School Champaign 0.6 mi 5.4
Edison Middle School Champaign 0.5 mi 5.7
South Side Elementary School Champaign 0.6 mi 6.3
Champaign Early Chldhd Cntr Champaign 0.7 mi 5.5
Dr Howard Elem School Champaign 0.6 mi 7.7
Stratton Elementary School Champaign 0.7 mi 5.1
Westview Elem School Champaign 1.0 mi 3.5
Bottenfield Elem School Champaign 1.6 mi 7.2
Washington Elem School Champaign 1.3 mi 7.1
ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Champaign 1.3 mi 7.4
ST MATTHEW SCHOOL Champaign 1.7 mi 5.4
International Prep Academy Champaign 1.7 mi 7.7
University of Illinois High Sch Urbana 1.5 mi 6.2
Garden Hills Elem School Champaign 1.7 mi 2.8
M L King Jr Elem School Urbana 1.6 mi 4.1
Centennial High School Champaign 1.7 mi 6.6
ACADEMY HIGH Champaign 2.1 mi 7.2
Jefferson Middle School Champaign 1.8 mi 4.2
SWANN SPECIAL CARE CTR-ELEM/SECONDARY SCHOOL Champaign 1.8 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 61820 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$31,031

Median Home Value

$175,900

Median Rent

$1,077/mo

Population

38,481

College Educated

54.6%

Homeownership

20%

Avg Commute

14.4 min

Poverty Rate

43.9%

Median Age

22.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dunlap High School Dunlap, IL 7.8
Mascoutah High School Mascoutah, IL 7.8
Springfield High School Springfield, IL 7.8
Willowbrook High School Villa Park, IL 7.8
A B Shepard High Sch (Campus) Palos Heights, IL 7.7
Central High School Burilngton, IL 7.7

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 1,642 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 13.8:1. 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 IL?

Central High School ranks #663 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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?

31.8% 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
76 Very Walkable
Transit Score
56 Good Transit
Bike Score
87 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,642
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
119
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Champaign County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.3%

District

Champaign CUSD 4
District Enrollment
10,363
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,009
District Rank
#2 of 18

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