Skip to main content

Below Average

#376 of 480 schools in NH

Manchester Central High School

High School · Manchester School District

535 Beech Street, Manchester, NH 03104

Enrollment

1,127

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Hampshire schools

#376 of 480

In Manchester

#12 of 29

public schools

In district

#6 of 21

Manchester School District

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Manchester Central High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Manchester Central High School

4.7/10

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

St Augustin Preschool

Nearby

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

Kreiva Academy Public Charter School (m)

2.0/10

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

About Manchester Central High School

Manchester Central High School is a public high school in Manchester, NH, part of Manchester School District. Manchester Central High School serves approximately 1,127 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Manchester Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #376 of 480 schools in NH.

Structured state assessment records for Manchester Central High School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • NH avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Manchester Central High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

71% of students at Manchester Central High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate70%
AP Participation24.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,077
Chronic Absenteeism71.3%

Manchester Central High School — Students at Manchester Central High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from NH state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
33%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
31%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
30%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
30%
ELA
64%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
69%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
33%
ELA
55%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
42%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Manchester Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
22th percentile in NH
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.5
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
89 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
71.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
24.2% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·33 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

535 Beech Street, Manchester, NH 03104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Manchester Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kreiva Academy Public Charter School (H) (rated 5.8/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Manchester, see our Manchester schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ST AUGUSTIN PRESCHOOL Manchester 0.3 mi
Kreiva Academy Public Charter School (M) Manchester 0.3 mi 2.0
Kreiva Academy Public Charter School (H) Manchester 0.3 mi 5.8
NORTH END MONTESSORI SCHOOL Manchester 0.4 mi 6.8
Beech Street School Manchester 0.6 mi 4.1
YMCA OF DOWNTOWN MANCHESTER EARLY LEARNING CENTER Manchester 0.5 mi
Henry Wilson Elementary School Manchester 0.6 mi 3.5
COLORFUL APPLES LEARNING CENTER Manchester 0.7 mi
Hillside Middle School Manchester 0.7 mi 3.7
McDonough School Manchester 0.7 mi 4.4
Smyth Road School Manchester 1.0 mi 3.7
TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL Manchester 0.9 mi 6.6
CARDINAL LACROIX ACADEMY Manchester 1.2 mi 6.2
ELLIOT CHILD CARE CENTER Manchester 1.1 mi
Bakersville School Manchester 1.4 mi 4.8
ST BENEDICT ACADEMY Manchester 1.2 mi 6.4
Manchester West High School Manchester 1.1 mi 4.3
ST MARIE CHILD CARE CENTER Manchester 1.1 mi
HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY Manchester 1.1 mi 6.9
Polaris Charter School Manchester 1.1 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 03104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,513

Median Home Value

$364,200

Median Rent

$1,455/mo

Population

35,274

College Educated

43.5%

Homeownership

57.1%

Avg Commute

22.8 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

37.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Manchester Memorial High School Manchester, NH 4.9
Manchester West High School Manchester, NH 4.3
Merrimack Valley High School Penacook, NH 5.3
Alvirne High School Hudson, NH 5.6
Pembroke Academy Pembroke, NH 5.8
Spaulding High School Rochester, NH 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Manchester Central High School

What grades does Manchester Central High School serve?

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

How many students attend Manchester Central High School?

Manchester Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,127 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Manchester Central High School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Manchester Central High School rank in NH?

Manchester Central High School ranks #376 of 480 schools in NH.

What is Manchester Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Manchester Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Manchester Central High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Manchester Central High School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Manchester Central High School a charter school?

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

Is Manchester Central High School a Title I school?

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

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

40.8% of students at Manchester 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

Walk Score
90 Walker's Paradise
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,127
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
89
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Hillsborough County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
71.3%
4-Year Graduation
70.0%

District

Manchester School District
District Enrollment
11,980
Schools in District
21
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,077
District Rank
#6 of 21

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.