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Excellent

#248 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 8% in state

Central High School

High School · Forest Hills Public Schools

5901 HALL ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Enrollment

1,033

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

8.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#14 of 111

public schools

Michigan high schools

#33 of 812

In district

#5 of 17

Forest Hills Public Schools

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Central High School

Central High School is a public high school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of the Forest Hills Public Schools. The school serves approximately 1,033 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 92.3th percentile among MI schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 67% proficiency in math and 85% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $97,386, where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68%
Reading/ELA Proficiency84%
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation42.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,011

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 66.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 84.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
85%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
84%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
92th percentile in MI
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

5901 HALL ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Eastern High School (rated 8.1/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Ada), with a very similar rating. Another option is Northern High School (rated 7.9/10, 4.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, West Michigan Aviation Academy (rated 6.6/10, 4.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Middle School Ada 0.3 mi 7.8
ADA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ada 0.5 mi 5.8
Central Woodlands 56 School Ada 0.9 mi 7.7
ST ROBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ada 0.9 mi 6.9
Thornapple Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 8.7
Ada Elementary School Ada 1.6 mi 8.3
Meadow Brook Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 9.2
Ada Vista Elementary School Ada 1.7 mi 4.4
Collins Elementary School Grand Rapids 2.3 mi 6.0
Ridge Park Charter Academy Grand Rapids 2.7 mi 7.5
Lincoln Developmental Center Grand Rapids 3.0 mi 9.0
Lincoln School Grand Rapids 3.0 mi 8.6
Pine Ridge Elementary School Grand Rapids 3.2 mi 7.5
ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF GRAND RAPIDS Grand Rapids 2.9 mi
West Michigan Aviation Academy Grand Rapids 4.1 mi 6.6
Eastern High School Ada 4.2 mi 8.1
CONDUCTIVE LEARNING CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA Grand Rapids 3.3 mi
Eastern Middle School Ada 4.3 mi 7.0
PrepNet Virtual Academy Grand Rapids 4.1 mi 3.7
Northern High School Grand Rapids 4.0 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49546 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,386

Median Home Value

$389,100

Median Rent

$1,275/mo

Population

33,429

College Educated

60.8%

Homeownership

68.5%

Avg Commute

17.6 min

Poverty Rate

7.5%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $97,386. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $389,100, with a median rent of $1,275/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
International Academy Bloomfield Hills, MI 8.3
Avondale High School Auburn Hills, MI 8.4
Clarkston Junior High School Clarkston, MI 8.4
Grosse Pointe North High School Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 8.4
Haslett High School Haslett, MI 8.4
Petoskey High School Petoskey, MI 8.4

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 1,033 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 19.5:1. 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 MI?

Central High School is ranked #248 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central High School has 66.5% math proficiency and 84.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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?

12.5% 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,416/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,033
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Kent County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Forest Hills Public Schools
District Enrollment
9,065
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,504
District Rank
#5 of 17

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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