Average
#914 of 1,284 schools in KY
The Central Academy
High School · Henderson County
851 Center Street, Henderson, KY 42420
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
240
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Henderson
#9 of 11
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#217 of 279
In district
#11 of 13
Henderson County
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About The Central Academy
The Central Academy is an alternative high school located in Henderson, Kentucky. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, The Central Academy has a total enrollment of 240 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.5:1, providing individualized attention to each student. Teachers work diligently to support their diverse needs within an alternative educational setting.
Academically, the school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks at #1160 out of 1288 schools in Kentucky, placing it in the bottom tenth percentile for academic performance statewide. Specifically, only 10% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and just 3% meet proficiency standards in math, indicating areas where growth is needed. The Central Academy sits on Center Street at the edge of an urban area, offering a unique blend of rural and city influences for its student body.
This setting provides a community feel while still being close to larger amenities and resources.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at The Central Academy 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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The Central Academy — Students at The Central Academy score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KY 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: 8.9/10.
How The Central Academy Compares
See how The Central Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 12% (2022).
Location
851 Center Street, Henderson, KY 42420
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Central Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cairo Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 7.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WESTSIDE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Evansville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Daniel Wertz Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Evansville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Henderson, see our Henderson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 42420 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,661
Median Home Value
$164,800
Median Rent
$792/mo
Population
38,434
College Educated
19.8%
Homeownership
61%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Central Academy has a median household income of $56,661. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,800, with a median rent of $792/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Cumberland County High School Burkesville, KY | 5.4 |
| NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport, KY | 5.6 |
| Russellville High School Russellville, KY | 5.6 |
| Dawson Springs Jr/Sr High School Dawson Springs, KY | 5.7 |
| ACCEL Academy Burlington, KY | 5.8 |
| Carter G. Woodson Academy Lexington, KY | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Central Academy
What grades does The Central Academy serve?
The Central Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend The Central Academy?
The Central Academy has an enrollment of approximately 240 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Central Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at The Central Academy is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does The Central Academy rank in KY?
The Central Academy is ranked #914 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is The Central Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
The Central Academy has a composite rating of 5.4 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 The Central Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, The Central Academy has 3.3% math proficiency and 9.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is The Central Academy a charter school?
No, The Central Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is The Central Academy a Title I school?
No, The Central Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Central Academy?
70.8% of students at The Central Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,152/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Henderson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 240
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.8%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Henderson County
- Phone
- (270) 831-5100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Henderson County- District Enrollment
- 6,833
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,397
- District Rank
- #11 of 13
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.
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