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
Enrollment
1,315
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Central High — Students at Central High score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.5/10.
How Central High Compares
See how Central High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (573) 335-8228
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CAPE GIRARDEAU 63- District Enrollment
- 4,301
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,129
- District Rank
- #4 of 8
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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