Average
#1637 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Central High School
High School · Newark Public School District
250 18TH AVENUE, Newark, NJ 07103
Enrollment
826
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
826
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newark
#31 of 61
public schools
New Jersey high schools
#272 of 422
In district
#35 of 63
Newark Public School District
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Central High School
Central High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Newark, New Jersey, with an enrollment of 826 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, supported by 76 full-time equivalent teachers, which provides a manageable class environment for students in this large urban setting. Academically, Central High School is working through significant challenges.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 reflects performance that ranks at the 19th percentile among New Jersey schools. Reading proficiency stands at 16% of students meeting or exceeding state standards, while math proficiency is at 4%, indicating considerable room for academic growth in both areas. These results suggest the school is focused on strengthening foundational skills and building student achievement in core subjects.
As a regular public school in Newark's urban environment, Central High serves an important role in the community. The school's relatively favorable student-teacher ratio indicates an opportunity for more personalized instruction and support. Families considering Central High should be aware of the current academic performance data while recognizing that the school's dedicated staff and manageable class sizes provide a foundation for potential improvement.
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 metricsView breakdown
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Central High School — Students at Central High School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.7/10.
How Central High School Compares
See how Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 2% (2019) to 9% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 18% (2022).
Location
250 18TH AVENUE, Newark, NJ 07103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Science Park High School (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bard Early College High School (rated 7.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, American History High School (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Newark Vocational High School Newark | 0.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Bard Early College High School Newark | 0.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Camden Street Elementary School Newark | 0.4 mi | 3.9 |
| American History High School Newark | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| New Horizons Community Charter School Newark | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Louise A. Spencer Elementary School Newark | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| ELYON LEARNING CENTER ACADEMY Newark | 0.5 mi | — |
| Quitman Street School Newark | 0.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark | 0.6 mi | 7.1 |
| LEAD Charter School Newark | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Avon Avenue School Newark | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Michelle Obama Elementary School Newark | 0.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Malcolm X Shabazz High School Newark | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Science Park High School Newark | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Arts High School Newark | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Belmont Runyon Elementary School Newark | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Link Community Charter School Newark | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,397
Median Home Value
$259,300
Median Rent
$1,289/mo
Population
36,733
College Educated
20.6%
Homeownership
23.4%
Avg Commute
31.6 min
Poverty Rate
31.6%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $42,397. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,300, with a median rent of $1,289/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Lodi High School Lodi, NJ | 5.6 |
| Lower Cape May Regional High School Cape May, NJ | 5.6 |
| North Arlington High School North Arlington, NJ | 5.6 |
| OROS BAIS YAKOV Lakewood, NJ | 5.6 |
| West Deptford High School West Deptford, NJ | 5.6 |
| Bound Brook High School Bound Brook, NJ | 5.5 |
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 is ranked #1637 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 4.1% math proficiency and 16.5% 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?
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,542/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newark). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 826
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 76
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 733-6378
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newark Public School District- District Enrollment
- 42,791
- Schools in District
- 64
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,680
- District Rank
- #35 of 63
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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