Very Good
#566 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 18% in state
Central High School
High School · Traverse City Area Public Schools
1150 MILLIKEN DR, Traverse City, MI 49686
Enrollment
1,324
Student-Teacher
23.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
1,324
Student-Teacher
23.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Traverse City
#7 of 23
public schools
Michigan high schools
#87 of 812
In district
#3 of 16
Traverse City Area Public Schools
Equity
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Central High School
Central High School serves 1,324 students in grades 8-12 in Traverse City, Michigan, operating as a regular public school in the Grand Traverse County district. With 57 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.2:1, providing educational services across a broad grade range that includes middle and high school students. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks in the 8th percentile among Michigan schools, placing it at #2963 out of 3204 schools statewide.
This indicates Central High School is working with room for academic growth as it serves its diverse student population. The school draws from a community where 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a well-educated population with a median household income of $67,279. The surrounding neighborhood shows economic stability with a median home value of $276,600 and a poverty rate of 12.6%, suggesting a middle-class community environment.
Central High School is situated in Traverse City, a small city setting that combines the benefits of urban amenities with a more intimate community atmosphere in northern Michigan's scenic Grand Traverse County region.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 23.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Central High School — Students at Central High School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
27.3%
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 remained stable from 51% (2019) to 52% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 71% (2019) to 72% (2021).
Location
1150 MILLIKEN DR, Traverse City, MI 49686
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. The Greenspire High School (rated 7.2/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Travse City), with a comparable rating. Another option is The Greenspire School (rated 7.1/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Traverse City High School (rated 6.5/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Traverse City, see our Traverse City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Elementary School Traverse City | 0.2 mi | 4.4 |
| North EdBridgeway Traverse City | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Traverse Heights Elem School Traverse City | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| North EdNew Horizons Traverse City | 1.4 mi | 8.8 |
| TRAVERSE BAY MENNONITE SCHOOL Traverse City | 1.4 mi | — |
| North EdCareer Tech Traverse City | 1.9 mi | — |
| Life Skills Center Traverse City | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Central Grade School Traverse City | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Traverse City High School Traverse City | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| The Greenspire High School Travse City | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Traverse City | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Willow Hill Elementary School Traverse City | 2.7 mi | 5.1 |
| North EdCreekside School Traverse City | 3.0 mi | 7.7 |
| The Greenspire School Traverse City | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| TRAVERSE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Traverse City | 4.3 mi | 4.4 |
| TCAPS Montessori School Traverse City | 3.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Grand Traverse Academy Traverse City | 3.9 mi | 5.3 |
| THE PATHFINDER SCHOOL Traverse City | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Cherry Knoll Elementary School Traverse City | 4.2 mi | 6.0 |
| ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON MIDDLE SCHOOL Traverse City | 4.2 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49686 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,198
Median Home Value
$295,500
Median Rent
$1,209/mo
Population
25,181
College Educated
45.9%
Homeownership
71.1%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
47.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $71,198. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,500, with a median rent of $1,209/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. 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 High School Livonia, MI | 7.7 |
| Berkley High School Berkley, MI | 7.8 |
| City MiddleHigh Grand Rapids, MI | 7.8 |
| Grandville High School Grandville, MI | 7.8 |
| Hamtramck High School Hamtramck, MI | 7.8 |
| Mona Shores High School Muskegon, MI | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central High School
What grades does Central High School serve?
Central High School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.
How many students attend Central High School?
Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,324 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 23.2:1. 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 #566 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 51.5% math proficiency and 71.5% 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?
27.3% 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 8th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,324
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 27.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Grand Traverse County
- Phone
- (231) 933-6500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Traverse City Area Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,655
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,840
- District Rank
- #3 of 16
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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