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
Enrollment
1,033
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
8.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central High School — Students at Central High School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from MI 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: 8.6/10.
How Central High School Compares
See how Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 65% (2019) to 68% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 85% (2019) to 84% (2021).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (616) 493-8700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.