Below Average
#2255 of 2,466 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
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
826
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey schools
#2,255 of 2,466
In Newark
#71 of 80
public schools
In district
#58 of 63
Newark Public School District
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Central High School
High School in Newark · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Grover Cleveland Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Newark Vocational High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Central High School
Central High School is a public high school in Newark, NJ, part of Newark Public School District. Central High School serves approximately 826 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,255 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 5.5
- NJ avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at 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.
37% of students at 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 metricsView breakdown
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Central High School — Students at Central High School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)
Based on 32 test records from NJ 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: 6.0/10.
How Central High School Compares
See how Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bard Early College High School (rated 8.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arts High School (rated 6.2/10, 0.7 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 | 5.1 |
| Newark Vocational High School Newark | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| Bard Early College High School Newark | 0.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Camden Street Elementary School Newark | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| American History High School Newark | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| New Horizons Community Charter School Newark | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Louise A. Spencer Elementary School Newark | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| ELYON LEARNING CENTER ACADEMY Newark | 0.5 mi | — |
| Quitman Street School Newark | 0.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark | 0.6 mi | 8.7 |
| LEAD Charter School Newark | 0.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Avon Avenue School Newark | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Michelle Obama Elementary School Newark | 0.7 mi | 9.8 |
| Malcolm X Shabazz High School Newark | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Science Park High School Newark | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Arts High School Newark | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark | 0.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Belmont Runyon Elementary School Newark | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Link Community Charter School Newark | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DONOVAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Toms River, NJ | 4.2 |
| Manville High School Manville, NJ | 4.2 |
| Bordentown Regional High School Bordentown, NJ | 4.3 |
| Deptford Township High School Deptford, NJ | 4.3 |
| Hillside High School Hillside, NJ | 4.3 |
| Pleasantville High School Pleasantville, NJ | 4.3 |
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.7%
- Phone
- (973) 733-6378
- 4-Year Graduation
- 72.0%
Resources & Links
District
Newark Public School District- District Enrollment
- 42,791
- Schools in District
- 64
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,680
- District Rank
- #58 of 63
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