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Average

#754 of 2,216 schools in MO

Top 34% in state

Central High

High School · CAPE GIRARDEAU 63

1000 S SILVER SPRINGS RD, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Enrollment

1,315

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cape Girardeau

#5 of 9

public schools

Missouri high schools

#180 of 532

In district

#4 of 8

CAPE GIRARDEAU 63

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Central High

Central High serves 1,315 students in grades 9-12 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 and 89 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school ranks in the 35th percentile statewide, placing #1454 out of 2234 Missouri schools, with room for academic growth across core subjects. The school's academic performance shows 47% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 30% reach proficiency in mathematics.

These results reflect the challenges and opportunities present in serving a diverse student body with varying academic preparation levels. Central High operates within the 63703 ZIP code area, a community where the median household income is $36,992 and median home value is $126,000. About 19% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 33.5%, indicating significant socioeconomic diversity among the 8,855 residents in this ZIP code.

With nearly 90 teachers serving over 1,300 students, Central High maintains a manageable class size environment that allows for meaningful teacher-student interactions. The school is situated in Cape Girardeau's small city setting, providing students with both community connections and access to regional opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College Readiness9.4Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,368

Central High — Students at Central High score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
33%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
47%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
66th percentile in MO
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
89 teachers

Location

1000 S SILVER SPRINGS RD, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SCOTT CITY HIGH (rated 7.1/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Scott City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NOTRE DAME REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Cape Girardeau, see our Cape Girardeau schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.0 mi
School Distance Rating
JEFFERSON ELEM. Cape Girardeau 2.0 mi 5.0
PARKVIEW SCHOOL Cape Girardeau 1.9 mi
CENTRAL JR. HIGH Cape Girardeau 2.4 mi 7.7
CENTRAL MIDDLE Cape Girardeau 2.6 mi 5.6
ST VINCENT DE PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cape Girardeau 2.8 mi 5.9
ST MARY CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Cape Girardeau 2.6 mi 7.9
FRANKLIN ELEM. Cape Girardeau 3.2 mi 7.8
CLIPPARD ELEM. Cape Girardeau 3.2 mi 7.4
EAGLE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cape Girardeau 2.9 mi 6.6
ALMA SCHRADER ELEM. Cape Girardeau 3.6 mi 5.5
NOTRE DAME REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Cape Girardeau 3.1 mi 6.6
GIRARDOT CENTER FOR YOUTH Cape Girardeau 3.4 mi
LYNWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cape Girardeau 4.0 mi 7.5
LYNWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cape Girardeau 4.4 mi 7.3
SCOTT CITY ELEM. Scott City 4.4 mi 6.7
SCOTT CITY HIGH Scott City 4.4 mi 7.1
SCOTT CITY MIDDLE Scott City 4.4 mi 7.7
BLANCHARD ELEM. Cape Girardeau 4.3 mi 6.7
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Scott City 4.7 mi 6.9
ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Kelso 6.0 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 63703 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,909

Median Home Value

$127,300

Median Rent

$843/mo

Population

8,494

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

40.7%

Poverty Rate

33.1%

Median Age

41.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central High has a median household income of $36,909. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $127,300, with a median rent of $843/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL St. Louis, MO 7.0
LINCOLN COLLEGE PREP. Kansas City, MO 6.8
NORTH HIGH St. Louis, MO 6.8
TIMBERLAND HIGH Wentzville, MO 7.1
JEFFERSON CITY HIGH Jefferson City, MO 6.7
SOUTH HIGH Manchester, MO 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central High

What grades does Central High serve?

Central High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Central High?

Central High has an enrollment of approximately 1,315 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High?

The student-teacher ratio at Central High is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central High rank in MO?

Central High is ranked #754 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High has a composite rating of 6.9 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?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central High has 33.0% math proficiency and 50.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central High a charter school?

No, Central High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central High a Title I school?

No, Central High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central High?

100.0% of students at Central High 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,094/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cape Girardeau). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,315
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
89
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Cape Girardeau County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

CAPE GIRARDEAU 63
District Enrollment
4,301
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,129
District Rank
#4 of 8

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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