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Excellent

#250 of 3,192 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

8.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#250 of 3,192

In Grand Rapids

#10 of 126

public schools

In district

#6 of 17

Forest Hills Public Schools

Equity

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Central High School

8.2/10

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

Central Middle School

8.0/10

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

Ada Christian School

5.8/10

0.5 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 Grand Rapids, MI, part of Forest Hills Public Schools. Central High School serves approximately 1,033 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #250 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.4
  • MI avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency84% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency76% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College Readiness8.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate98%
AP Participation42.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,504
Chronic Absenteeism17.6%

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 64.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
86%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
60%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
63%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
71%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
89%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
0.5%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
85%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
85%
2020*
Math
68%
ELA
84%
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: 7.9/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.2/10
92th percentile in MI
Academic
9.5/10
Excellent
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
6.1/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.5
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
42.3% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·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

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. Northern High School (rated 8.7/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is West Michigan Aviation Academy (rated 8.4/10, 4.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Eastern High School (rated 8.4/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Ada), with a very similar rating. 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 8.0
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 8.1
Ada Elementary School Ada 1.6 mi 9.2
Meadow Brook Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 8.0
Ada Vista Elementary School Ada 1.7 mi 5.8
Collins Elementary School Grand Rapids 2.3 mi 8.1
Ridge Park Charter Academy Grand Rapids 2.7 mi 6.5
Lincoln Developmental Center Grand Rapids 3.0 mi 8.1
Lincoln School Grand Rapids 3.0 mi 7.7
Pine Ridge Elementary School Grand Rapids 3.2 mi 8.3
ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF GRAND RAPIDS Grand Rapids 2.9 mi
West Michigan Aviation Academy Grand Rapids 4.1 mi 8.4
Eastern High School Ada 4.2 mi 8.4
CONDUCTIVE LEARNING CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA Grand Rapids 3.3 mi
Eastern Middle School Ada 4.3 mi 8.1
PrepNet Virtual Academy Grand Rapids 4.1 mi 3.4
Northern High School Grand Rapids 4.0 mi 8.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Byron Center High School Byron Center, MI 8.1
Churchill High School Livonia, MI 8.1
Fenton Senior High School Fenton, MI 8.1
Lakeland High School White Lake, MI 8.1
HH Dow High School Midland, MI 8.3
Renaissance High School Detroit, MI 8.3

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 ranks #250 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.6%
4-Year Graduation
98.0%

District

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

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