Below Average
#2255 of 2,466 schools in NJ
Central High School
High School · Newark Public School District · Newark, NJ
A Newark Public School District high school where students score 18 points below what's typical for similar communities.
250 18TH AVENUE, Newark, NJ 07103
- Math 3% vs NJ 44% (2025)
- Reading 12% vs NJ 50% (2025)
- 72.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Central High School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
2025 NJSLA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NJ average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 22 points across the 17-year record (2009–2025) and has held near 8% recently.
Show all 16 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 15% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 31% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 32 test records from NJ state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
75.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Central High School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the New York map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 80Very Walkable
- Transit 66Good Transit
- Bike 62Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,542/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Newark), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$42,397
Median home value
$259,300
Median rent
$1,289/mo
College educated
20.6%
Homeownership
23.4%
Poverty rate
31.6%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 07103; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark Vocational High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 4.5 | 9–12 | 0.2 mi | 592 | Compare → |
| American History High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.1 | 9–12 | 0.4 mi | 361 | Compare → |
| Bard Early College High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.0 | 9–12 | 0.4 mi | 382 | Compare → |
| Lead Charter SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 3.0 | 9–12 | 0.6 mi | 280 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Newark Public School District
- Schools in district
- 64
- Rank in district
- #58 of 63
- District spending per student
- $31,680NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 25.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
Central High School is listed in Newark Public School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Central High School
Central High School is a public high school in Newark, NJ, part of Newark Public School District, serving approximately 826 students in grades 9th-12th with a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,255 of 2,466 schools in NJ. State assessment records show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 826 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 10.9:1. 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 NJ?
Central High School ranks #2,255 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central High School has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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?
75.5% 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 826
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 76
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Essex County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.7%
- Phone
- (973) 733-6378
- 4-Year Graduation
- 72.0%
- Area population (ZIP 07103)
- 36,733
- Area average commute
- 31.6 min
- Area median age
- 31.8
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NJSLA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 NJSLA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NJSLA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 NJSLA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- State assessments · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 07103; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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.