Very Good
#727 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 23% in state
Central High School
High School · Grand Haven Area Public Schools
106 SOUTH 6TH ST, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Enrollment
91
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
91
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Haven
#4 of 11
public schools
Michigan high schools
#122 of 812
In district
#4 of 12
Grand Haven Area Public Schools
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Central High School
Central High School serves 91 students in grades 9-12 as an alternative high school in Grand Haven, Michigan. With just 7 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate 13:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and support that many students in alternative settings benefit from. The school has earned a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #400 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Michigan schools.
This strong performance suggests the school is effectively serving its student population and meeting their unique educational needs. Located on South 6th Street in Grand Haven, Central High School operates within Ottawa County's stable community environment. The surrounding 49417 ZIP code reflects a well-established area with a median household income of $79,710 and median home values of $275,900.
With 38% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 6.7%, the 33,104-person community provides a supportive backdrop for students working toward their high school goals. The school's alternative setting in this mid-size suburban community offers students a different path to graduation while maintaining access to the resources and stability of Grand Haven's established residential area.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 91 students, Central High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Central High School 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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Central High School — Students at Central High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.9%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.4/10.
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 10% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 25% (2021).
Location
106 SOUTH 6TH ST, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Holmes Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Spring Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ferry School (rated 8.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, White Pines Intermediate School (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Grand Haven, see our Grand Haven schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Career Development School Grand Haven | 0.0 mi | — |
| Lakeshore Middle School Grand Haven | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Grand Haven | 0.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Ferry School Grand Haven | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| GRAND HAVEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Haven | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Mary A White School Grand Haven | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| White Pines Intermediate School Grand Haven | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Griffin Elementary School Grand Haven | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Grand Haven Cyber School Grand Haven | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| West MI Academy of Arts and Academics Spring Lake | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Walden Green Montessori Spring Lake | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Spring Lake Middle School Spring Lake | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Spring Lake Intermediate School Spring Lake | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Rosy Mound School Grand Haven | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Holmes Elementary School Spring Lake | 2.0 mi | 9.3 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Spring Lake | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Lake Hills Elementary School Spring Lake | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| LITTLE LAKERS LEARNING CENTER Spring Lake | 2.4 mi | — |
| Peach Plains School Grand Haven | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Grand Haven High School Grand Haven | 3.5 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49417 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,476
Median Home Value
$287,800
Median Rent
$1,101/mo
Population
33,277
College Educated
37.6%
Homeownership
78%
Avg Commute
20.3 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
42.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $84,476. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,800, with a median rent of $1,101/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Churchill Community Ed Center Royal Oak, MI | 7.4 |
| John M Schultz Educational Campus Rochester Hills, MI | 7.4 |
| Success Academy Warren, MI | 7.4 |
| Covert High School Covert, MI | 7.5 |
| Houghton Lake Community Education Houghton Lake, MI | 7.5 |
| Kelloggsville Virtual School Grand Rapids, MI | 7.5 |
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 91 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 13:1. 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 #727 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Central High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central High School has 17.5% math proficiency and 27.5% 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?
65.9% 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
- 91
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.9%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Ottawa County
- Phone
- (616) 850-6800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Grand Haven Area Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 5,306
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,352
- District Rank
- #4 of 12
Other Schools in This District
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
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