Average
#263 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
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,127
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Manchester
#9 of 29
public schools
New Hampshire high schools
#54 of 95
In district
#3 of 21
Manchester School District
About Manchester Central High School
Manchester Central High School serves 1,127 students in grades 9-12 in Manchester, New Hampshire's mid-size city setting. Located at 535 Beech Street, this regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1 with 89 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth across core subjects.
In English Language Arts and Reading, 42% of students perform at proficient or above levels, while mathematics shows 17% of students reaching proficiency. Manchester Central ranks 453rd out of 483 high schools statewide and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10. The school draws from a diverse community in the 03104 zip code area, where the median household income is $80,018 and median home value reaches $335,700.
The surrounding neighborhood has a college-educated population of 42% with bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a poverty rate of 10.4%. With a local population of 34,962 residents, Manchester Central High School serves as an important educational anchor in this established New Hampshire community, providing comprehensive high school education in the heart of Manchester's urban landscape.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Manchester 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 metricsView breakdown
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Manchester Central High School — Students at Manchester Central High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NH EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NH 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: 6.4/10.
How Manchester Central High School Compares
See how Manchester Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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. Kreiva Academy Public Charter School (H) (rated 8.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 2.6 |
| Kreiva Academy Public Charter School (H) Manchester | 0.3 mi | 8.7 |
| NORTH END MONTESSORI SCHOOL Manchester | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Beech Street School Manchester | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| YMCA OF DOWNTOWN MANCHESTER EARLY LEARNING CENTER Manchester | 0.5 mi | — |
| Henry Wilson Elementary School Manchester | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| COLORFUL APPLES LEARNING CENTER Manchester | 0.7 mi | — |
| Hillside Middle School Manchester | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| McDonough School Manchester | 0.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Smyth Road School Manchester | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| 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 | 7.0 |
| ST BENEDICT ACADEMY Manchester | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Manchester West High School Manchester | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Manchester Central High School has a median household income of $84,513. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $364,200, with a median rent of $1,455/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Goffstown High School Goffstown, NH | 6.1 |
| BISHOP GUERTIN HIGH SCHOOL Nashua, NH | 6.2 |
| Keene High School Keene, NH | 5.9 |
| Timberlane Regional High School Plaistow, NH | 5.8 |
| Concord High School Concord, NH | 5.7 |
| Kennett High School North Conway, NH | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #263 out of 480 schools in NH.
What is Manchester Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Manchester Central High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Manchester Central High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Manchester Central High School has 27.0% math proficiency and 49.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Manchester). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (603) 624-6363
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Manchester School District- District Enrollment
- 11,980
- Schools in District
- 21
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,077
- District Rank
- #3 of 21
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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