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Average

#1433 of 2,221 schools in MO

Central High

High School · ST. JOSEPH

2602 EDMOND, St. Joseph, MO 64501

Enrollment

1,720

Student-Teacher

15.6:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Missouri schools

#1,433 of 2,221

In St. Joseph

#15 of 22

public schools

In district

#14 of 20

ST. JOSEPH

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Central High

5.7/10

High School in St. Joseph · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Edison Elem.

8.6/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St Francis Xavier School

6.6/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central High

Central High is a public high school in St. Joseph, MO, part of ST. JOSEPH.

Central High serves approximately 1,720 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,433 of 2,221 schools in MO. Structured state assessment records for Central High show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • MO avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+6.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.8% (2025 MAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.6% (2025 MAP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.8 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 MAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 MAP)
vs. Expected-9.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate83%
AP Participation15.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,067
Chronic Absenteeism23.4%

Central High — Students at Central High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO MAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 61.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 32 test records from MO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
37%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
41%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
63%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
63%
2020*
Math
28%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
48%
2024
Math
23.8%
ELA
42.4%
2025
Math
33.8%
ELA
45.6%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
36th percentile in MO
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
9.5/10
Excellent
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.3
Sports
21
11 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
110 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
15.8% participation·State avg: 2.3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
11 boys'·10 girls'·48 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 5.1/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 8.6
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL St. Joseph 0.6 mi 6.6
BODE MIDDLE St. Joseph 0.6 mi 4.0
TRUMAN MIDDLE St. Joseph 0.9 mi 3.1
PARKWAY ELEM. St. Joseph 1.1 mi 6.3
HELEN M DAVIS SCHOOL St. Joseph 1.2 mi 3.5
OF ST. JOSEPH St. Joseph 1.0 mi 7.2
CARDEN PARK ELEM St. Joseph 1.2 mi 7.2
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 7.2
FIELD ELEM. St. Joseph 1.8 mi 8.5
LAFAYETTE HIGH St. Joseph 1.9 mi 5.1
LINDBERGH ELEM. St. Joseph 2.0 mi 5.8
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 3.4
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL St. Joseph 2.6 mi 4.8
PERSHING ELEM. St. Joseph 3.3 mi 8.3
SKAITH ELEM. St. Joseph 2.7 mi 7.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
FARMINGTON SR. HIGH Farmington, MO 5.8
JOPLIN HIGH Joplin, MO 5.8
MCCLUER NORTH HIGH Florissant, MO 5.8
PARK HILL HIGH Kansas City, MO 5.8
ROLLA SR. HIGH Rolla, MO 5.8
WILLIAM CHRISMAN HIGH Independence, MO 5.9

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 ranks #1,433 of 2,221 schools in MO.

What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Central High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central High has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.4%
4-Year Graduation
83.0%

District

ST. JOSEPH
District Enrollment
10,477
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,067
District Rank
#14 of 20

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