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Below Average

#1204 of 1,363 schools in MD

Central High

High School · Prince George's County Public Schools

200 Cabin Branch Rd, Capitol Heights, MD 20743

Enrollment

803

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#1,204 of 1,363

In Capitol Heights

#6 of 7

public schools

In district

#165 of 194

Prince George's County Public Schools

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Central High

4.1/10

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

Walker Mill Middle

6.4/10

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

John H. Bayne Elementary

3.2/10

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

About Central High

Central High is a public high school in Capitol Heights, MD, part of Prince George's County Public Schools. Central High serves approximately 803 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,204 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Central High show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.5
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

64% of students at Central High 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 Progress5.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.24 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.3% (2025 MCAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-23.8 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate57%
AP Participation6.2%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,789
Chronic Absenteeism64.1%

Central High — Students at Central High score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
69%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
47%
2025
ELA
27.3%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
12th percentile in MD
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 3.1
Sports
8
6 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
64.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered IB Programme
6.2% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·51 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics8sports offered
6 boys'·2 girls'·8 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

200 Cabin Branch Rd, Capitol Heights, MD 20743

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BISHOP MCNAMARA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Forestville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Maya Angelou PCS - HS (rated 4.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Washington), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Capitol Heights, see our Capitol Heights schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Walker Mill Middle Capitol Heights 0.5 mi 6.4
John H. Bayne Elementary Capitol Heights 0.8 mi 3.2
Carmody Hills Elementary Capitol Heights 1.0 mi 4.2
Capitol Heights Elementary Capitol Heights 1.1 mi 9.0
Highland Park Elementary Landover 1.4 mi 2.8
Seat Pleasant Elementary Capital Heights 1.3 mi 3.2
Judith P. Hoyer Montessori Landover 1.5 mi 7.9
Doswell E. Brooks Elementary Capital Heights 1.3 mi 5.2
District Heights Elementary District Heights 1.7 mi 6.4
Francis Scott Key Elementary District Heights 1.7 mi 4.9
Concord Elementary District Heights 1.6 mi 2.7
G. James Gholson Middle Landover 1.7 mi 5.5
Cora L. Rice Elementary Landover 1.7 mi 4.3
HIGHLAND PARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Landover 1.9 mi 7.0
William W. Hall Academy Capitol Heights 1.7 mi 6.7
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS - East End Washington 1.6 mi 6.4
Maya Angelou PCS - HS Washington 1.6 mi 4.2
BISHOP MCNAMARA HIGH SCHOOL Forestville 2.1 mi 4.6
DC Scholars PCS Washington 1.7 mi 4.3
North Forestville Elementary Forestville 2.0 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20743 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,332

Median Home Value

$317,100

Median Rent

$1,614/mo

Population

39,439

College Educated

22.9%

Homeownership

66.8%

Avg Commute

36.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.8%

Median Age

38.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Surrattsville High Clinton, MD 4.0
ConneXions: A Community Based Arts School Baltimore, MD 3.9
Friendly High Fort Washington, MD 4.4
Randallstown High Randallstown, MD 3.7
Chesapeake High Baltimore, MD 4.5
Frederick Douglass High Baltimore, MD 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central High

What grades does Central High serve?

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

How many students attend Central High?

Central High has an enrollment of approximately 803 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High?

The student-teacher ratio at Central High is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central High rank in MD?

Central High ranks #1,204 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central High has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Central High a charter school?

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

Is Central High a Title I school?

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

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

72.6% of students at Central High 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
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
803
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Prince George's County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
64.1%
4-Year Graduation
57.0%

District

Prince George's County Public Schools
District Enrollment
131,310
Schools in District
199
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,789
District Rank
#165 of 194

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