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Excellent

#333 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 9% in state

Naperville Central High School

High School · Naperville CUSD 203

440 Aurora Ave, Naperville, IL 60540

Enrollment

2,519

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

8.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Naperville

#6 of 40

public schools

Illinois high schools

#46 of 703

In district

#4 of 22

Naperville CUSD 203

Academic performance

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Naperville Central High School

Naperville Central High School is a public high school in Naperville, IL, part of the Naperville CUSD 203. The school serves approximately 2,519 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 91.3th percentile among IL schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 64% proficiency in math and 63% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (7.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $155,866, where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a midsize city setting.

What Parents Should Know

Naperville Central High School is a large school with 2,519 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected+18.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation36.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,103

Naperville Central High School — Students at Naperville Central High School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 64.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
70%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
61%
2022
ELA
61%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Naperville Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.2/10
91th percentile in IL
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
179 teachers

Location

440 Aurora Ave, Naperville, IL 60540

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Naperville Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Naperville North High School (rated 8.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ellsworth Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Highlands Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Naperville, see our Naperville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Naper Elem School Naperville 0.5 mi 6.9
Washington Jr High School Naperville 0.8 mi 6.7
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Naperville 0.7 mi 6.7
Highlands Elem School Naperville 0.7 mi 7.9
SAINTS PETER & PAUL SCHOOL Naperville 0.8 mi 4.6
Elmwood Elem School Naperville 1.0 mi 5.2
Naperville North High School Naperville 1.2 mi 8.7
Ellsworth Elem School Naperville 1.0 mi 8.7
ST RAPHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Naperville 1.2 mi 5.7
Mill Street Elem School Naperville 1.6 mi 7.3
Beebe Elem School Naperville 1.6 mi 7.2
May Watts Elementary School Naperville 1.4 mi 6.3
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL Naperville 1.7 mi 5.2
Owen Elementary School Naperville 1.8 mi 7.8
Lincoln Jr High School Naperville 1.7 mi 7.2
Prairie Elem School Naperville 1.5 mi 7.0
TURNING POINTE CN DAY SCHOOL Naperville 1.6 mi 6.6
Jefferson Jr High School Naperville 2.0 mi 6.7
CREME DE LA CREME Warrenville 2.4 mi
Maplebrook Elem School Naperville 2.3 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 60540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$155,866

Median Home Value

$504,900

Median Rent

$1,982/mo

Population

42,660

College Educated

71.8%

Homeownership

75.2%

Avg Commute

28.7 min

Poverty Rate

3.7%

Median Age

41.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Naperville Central High School has a median household income of $155,866. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $504,900, with a median rent of $1,982/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Barrington High School Barrington, IL 8.2
Geneva Community High School Geneva, IL 8.2
Wheaton North High School Wheaton, IL 8.2
Comm H S Dist 99 - North H S Downers Grove, IL 8.1
Metea Valley High School Aurora, IL 8.1
Neuqua Valley High School Naperville, IL 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Naperville Central High School

What grades does Naperville Central High School serve?

Naperville Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Naperville Central High School?

Naperville Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,519 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Naperville Central High School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Naperville Central High School rank in IL?

Naperville Central High School is ranked #333 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Naperville Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Naperville Central High School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Naperville Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Naperville Central High School has 64.0% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Naperville Central High School a charter school?

No, Naperville Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Naperville Central High School a Title I school?

No, Naperville Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

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

17.3% of students at Naperville 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
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (968/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,519
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
179
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
DuPage County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Naperville CUSD 203
District Enrollment
16,071
Schools in District
22
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,199
District Rank
#4 of 22

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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