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Average

#1336 of 2,216 schools in MO

Central High School

High School · KANSAS CITY 33

3221 INDIANA, Kansas City, MO 64128

Enrollment

534

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kansas City

#77 of 137

public schools

Missouri high schools

#332 of 532

In district

#19 of 31

KANSAS CITY 33

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Central High School

Central High School is a regular public high school located in Kansas City, Missouri, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 534 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 41 full-time equivalent teachers. Central High School focuses on fostering a strong community within its large city setting.

While Central High School currently ranks in the lower third among Missouri schools, with room for academic growth, it continues to work diligently on improving student development and performance. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 17%, and math proficiency stands at 2%. Despite these challenges, the dedicated faculty remains committed to enhancing educational outcomes.

Central High School sits in the heart of Kansas City, offering students a rich array of cultural and extracurricular opportunities within its urban setting.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Central High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics3.0Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,221

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 12% proficient, which is below 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 2.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in MO
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

3221 INDIANA, Kansas City, MO 64128

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LINCOLN COLLEGE PREP. (rated 6.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is EAST HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, DeLaSalle Charter High School (rated 3.8/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kansas City, see our Kansas City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Kansas City 0.1 mi 6.7
CONTRACT Kansas City 0.1 mi 5.2
HOPE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Kansas City 0.5 mi 5.6
PHILLIS WHEATLEY ELEMENTARY Kansas City 1.1 mi 7.2
WENDELL PHILLIPS ELEMENTARY Kansas City 1.2 mi 6.2
GEORGE MELCHER ELEMENTARY Kansas City 1.2 mi 4.8
GENESIS SCHOOL INC. Kansas City 1.4 mi 6.8
BARE ESSENTIALS HOME CARE INC Kansas City 1.2 mi
LINCOLN COLLEGE ACADEMY MIDDLE Kansas City 1.5 mi 5.4
LEE A. TOLBERT COM. ACADEMY Kansas City 1.4 mi 6.3
FAXON ELEMENTARY Kansas City 1.4 mi 6.6
KIPP ENDEAVOR ACADEMY Kansas City 1.8 mi 5.6
CARVER DUAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL Kansas City 1.8 mi 6.8
LINCOLN COLLEGE PREP. Kansas City 1.7 mi 6.8
EAST HIGH SCHOOL Kansas City 1.8 mi 4.8
KANSAS CITY GIRLS PREP MIDDLE Kansas City 1.9 mi 8.0
DeLaSalle Charter High School Kansas City 1.7 mi 3.8
WHITTIER ELEMENTARY Kansas City 2.3 mi 5.2
GUADALUPE CENTERS ELEMENTARY Kansas City 2.2 mi 5.7
HOGAN PREPARATORY ACADEMY ELEM Kansas City 2.4 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64128 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$35,257

Median Home Value

$64,800

Median Rent

$926/mo

Population

12,445

College Educated

10.1%

Homeownership

45.7%

Avg Commute

19.8 min

Poverty Rate

28.1%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $35,257. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $64,800, with a median rent of $926/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
CLEVER HIGH Clever, MO 5.9
HANCOCK SR. HIGH St. Louis, MO 5.9
FATIMA HIGH Westphalia, MO 6.0
HERCULANEUM HIGH Herculaneum, MO 6.0
PASEO ACAD. OF PERFORMING ARTS Kansas City, MO 6.0
BLAIR OAKS HIGH Jefferson City, MO 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central High School

What grades does Central High School serve?

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

How many students attend Central High School?

Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 534 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 13:1. 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 MO?

Central High School is ranked #1336 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central High School has 2.5% math proficiency and 17.0% 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?

100.0% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (6,241/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
534
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Jackson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

KANSAS CITY 33
District Enrollment
14,694
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,743
District Rank
#19 of 31

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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