Below Average
#2082 of 2,216 schools in MO
Central High
High School · ST. JOSEPH
2602 EDMOND, St. Joseph, MO 64501
Enrollment
1,720
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,720
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In St. Joseph
#20 of 20
public schools
Missouri high schools
#503 of 532
In district
#20 of 20
ST. JOSEPH
About Central High
Central High serves 1,720 students in grades 9-12 in St. Joseph, Missouri, operating as a regular public school with 110 full-time equivalent teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1. The school carries a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,648 out of 2,234 Missouri high schools, placing it in the 26th percentile statewide.
Academically, Central High shows room for growth, with 48% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 25% meet proficiency standards in mathematics. These performance levels reflect the school's focus on student development as it works to strengthen educational outcomes across core subject areas. The school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $41,308 and 23.7% of families live below the poverty line.
In the surrounding 64501 ZIP code area, about 20% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median home value is $97,300. With a population of 10,567 in the immediate area, Central High operates as a significant educational institution within this small Missouri city, providing comprehensive high school education to families throughout the St. Joseph community.
Score Breakdown
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Central High — Students at Central High score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.8%
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: 3.1/10.
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 38% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 48% (2022).
Location
2602 EDMOND, St. Joseph, MO 64501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BISHOP LEBLOND (rated 9.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAFAYETTE HIGH (rated 5.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in St. Joseph, see our St. Joseph schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EDISON ELEM. St. Joseph | 0.5 mi | 7.5 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL St. Joseph | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| BODE MIDDLE St. Joseph | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| TRUMAN MIDDLE St. Joseph | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| PARKWAY ELEM. St. Joseph | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| HELEN M DAVIS SCHOOL St. Joseph | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| OF ST. JOSEPH St. Joseph | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| CARDEN PARK ELEM St. Joseph | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| BISHOP LEBLOND St. Joseph | 1.4 mi | 9.1 |
| BISHOP LEBLOND HIGH SCHOOL St. Joseph | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| COLEMAN ELEM. St. Joseph | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| FIELD ELEM. St. Joseph | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| LAFAYETTE HIGH St. Joseph | 1.9 mi | 5.2 |
| LINDBERGH ELEM. St. Joseph | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| SOUTH PARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY St. Joseph | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| PICKETT ELEM. St. Joseph | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| ROBIDOUX MIDDLE St. Joseph | 2.8 mi | 7.0 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL St. Joseph | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| PERSHING ELEM. St. Joseph | 3.3 mi | 5.1 |
| SKAITH ELEM. St. Joseph | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 64501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,615
Median Home Value
$97,400
Median Rent
$823/mo
Population
10,354
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
47.4%
Avg Commute
17.4 min
Poverty Rate
25.1%
Median Age
35.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central High has a median household income of $41,615. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $97,400, with a median rent of $823/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| FORT OSAGE HIGH Independence, MO | 4.0 |
| RAYTOWN SR. HIGH Raytown, MO | 4.0 |
| WILLIAM CHRISMAN HIGH Independence, MO | 4.0 |
| LEBANON SR. HIGH Lebanon, MO | 3.9 |
| NORTHWEST HIGH Cedar Hill, MO | 3.9 |
| TROY BUCHANAN HIGH Troy, MO | 3.9 |
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 1,720 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High is 15.6:1. 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 #2082 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High has a composite rating of 4.0 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 30.3% math proficiency and 53.7% 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?
35.8% 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (St. Joseph). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,720
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 110
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Buchanan County
- Phone
- (816) 671-4080
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ST. JOSEPH- District Enrollment
- 10,477
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,067
- District Rank
- #20 of 20
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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