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Average

#1176 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 48% in state

Trenton Central High School - Main Campus

High School · Trenton Public School District

400 Chambers Street, Trenton, NJ 08611

Enrollment

2,138

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

6.5

Grades

10th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Trenton

#1 of 20

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#194 of 422

In district

#1 of 25

Trenton Public School District

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Trenton Central High School - Main Campus

Trenton Central High School - Main Campus serves 2,138 students in grades 10-12 in the heart of New Jersey's capital city. With 154 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, providing reasonable class sizes for this large urban high school. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranking #585 out of 2,475 New Jersey high schools, placing it in the 76th percentile statewide.

Students show strong literacy skills with 70% achieving proficiency or above in ELA/Reading, while 64% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. The school's academic score of 8.6 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement despite serving a diverse urban population. Located at 400 Chambers Street, the school serves families in a community where the median household income is $48,542 and median home value is $117,300.

The surrounding ZIP code of 08611 has a population of 31,660, with 17% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. While 27.7% of families face economic challenges, the school continues to provide educational opportunities for students from varied backgrounds. Trenton Central High School - Main Campus stands as an educational anchor in New Jersey's historic capital city, serving students in this vibrant small city setting.

What Parents Should Know

Trenton Central High School - Main Campus is a large school with 2,138 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+8.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics9.3Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5%
Math vs. State Avg-4.3 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+25.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College Readiness2.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,151

Trenton Central High School - Main Campus — Students at Trenton Central High School - Main Campus score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.4%
School
State
55.2%
ELA Proficiency 33.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
3%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
64.5%
ELA
69.5%
2024
Math
8.8%

* 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: 10.0/10.

How Trenton Central High School - Main Campus Compares

See how Trenton Central High School - Main Campus performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
52th percentile in NJ
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
154 teachers

Location

400 Chambers Street, Trenton, NJ 08611

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Trenton Central High School - Main Campus may also want to explore other high schools in the area. International Charter School (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Paul Robeson Charter School for the Humanities (rated 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Kuser Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Hamilton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Trenton, see our Trenton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Patton J. Hill Elementary School Trenton 0.5 mi 3.9
Hedgepeth Williams Intermediate School Trenton 0.4 mi 2.8
Paul S. Robeson Elementary School Trenton 0.4 mi 3.6
Carroll Robbins Elementary School Trenton 0.4 mi 4.9
Achievers Early College Prep Charter School Trenton 0.5 mi 5.6
George Washington Elementary School Trenton 0.6 mi 2.4
Ulysses S. Grant School Trenton 0.7 mi 4.1
William Harrison Elementary School Trenton 0.9 mi 3.9
Franklin Elementary School Trenton 0.9 mi 3.2
International Charter School Trenton 1.0 mi 6.4
Darlene C. McKnight Elementary Trenton 1.1 mi 4.6
Trenton Central High School-9th Grade Academy Trenton 0.9 mi 5.4
Kuser Elementary School Hamilton 0.9 mi 6.0
Grace A Dunn Middle School Trenton 1.3 mi 5.1
ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF TRENTON Trenton 1.1 mi
Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School Trenton 1.2 mi 3.8
Daylight/Twilight High School Trenton 1.0 mi 4.5
Paul Robeson Charter School for the Humanities Trenton 1.4 mi 6.4
Luis Munoz-Rivera Elementary School Trenton 1.1 mi 2.9
Greenwood Elementary School Hamilton 1.3 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08611 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,806

Median Home Value

$142,400

Median Rent

$1,300/mo

Population

32,786

College Educated

16.3%

Homeownership

36.4%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

25.2%

Median Age

34.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Trenton Central High School - Main Campus has a median household income of $50,806. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,400, with a median rent of $1,300/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Southern Regional High School Manahawkin, NJ 6.5
Clearview Regional High School Mullica Hill, NJ 6.6
Eastern Regional High School Voorhees, NJ 6.6
Washington Township High School Sewell, NJ 6.6
Camden County Technical School-GTC Sicklerville, NJ 6.3
Colonia High School Colonia, NJ 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Trenton Central High School - Main Campus

What grades does Trenton Central High School - Main Campus serve?

Trenton Central High School - Main Campus serves students in grades 10th through 12th.

How many students attend Trenton Central High School - Main Campus?

Trenton Central High School - Main Campus has an enrollment of approximately 2,138 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Trenton Central High School - Main Campus?

The student-teacher ratio at Trenton Central High School - Main Campus is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Trenton Central High School - Main Campus rank in NJ?

Trenton Central High School - Main Campus is ranked #1176 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Trenton Central High School - Main Campus's MySchoolScout rating?

Trenton Central High School - Main Campus has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Trenton Central High School - Main Campus?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Trenton Central High School - Main Campus has 17.4% math proficiency and 33.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Trenton Central High School - Main Campus a charter school?

No, Trenton Central High School - Main Campus is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Trenton Central High School - Main Campus a Title I school?

No, Trenton Central High School - Main Campus is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Trenton Central High School - Main Campus?

38.8% of students at Trenton Central High School - Main Campus 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
77 Very Walkable
Transit Score
53 Good Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,334/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Trenton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
10th – 12th
Enrollment
2,138
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
154
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Mercer County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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