Below Average
#1092 of 1,226 schools in OR
Central High School
High School · Central SD 13J
1530 Monmouth St, Independence, OR 97351
Enrollment
1,014
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,014
Student-Teacher
22.5:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Independence
#3 of 3
public schools
Oregon high schools
#194 of 250
In district
#5 of 5
Central SD 13J
About Central High School
Central High School serves 1,014 students in grades 9-12 in Independence, Oregon, with a student-teacher ratio of 22.5:1 across 45 full-time equivalent teachers. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks in the 27th percentile among Oregon high schools, indicating significant room for academic growth. Academic performance shows mixed results, with 52% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels.
Mathematics presents a particular area of focus, with 10% of students demonstrating proficiency or above. These outcomes suggest the school is working to strengthen its academic programs and support systems for student achievement. The school serves a community where the median household income is $76,385 and the median home value is $316,900, with a relatively low poverty rate of 9.7%.
About 22% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a community with varied educational backgrounds. Central High School is situated in Independence, a town on the fringe of an urban area in Polk County, providing students with both small-town community connections and access to broader metropolitan opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 22.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Central High School — Students at Central High School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from OR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.8/10.
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 declined from 27% (2019) to 7.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 25.2% (2025).
Location
1530 Monmouth St, Independence, OR 97351
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sprague High School (rated 4.6/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Salem), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Dallas High School (rated 2.6/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Dallas), a more accessible option. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Talmadge Middle School Independence | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Ash Creek Elementary School Monmouth | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| MONMOUTH MONTESSORI SCHOOL LLC Monmouth | 0.7 mi | — |
| Monmouth Elementary School Monmouth | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Independence Elementary School Independence | 1.0 mi | 6.7 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dallas | 5.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Whitworth Elementary School Dallas | 6.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Dallas High School Dallas | 6.4 mi | 2.6 |
| LaCreole Middle School Dallas | 6.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Dallas Community Charter Dallas | 7.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Lyle Elementary School Dallas | 7.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Sprague High School Salem | 6.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Schirle Elementary School Salem | 7.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Oakdale Heights Elementary School Dallas | 7.7 mi | 8.8 |
| BUD TO BLOSSOM CHILDREN'S SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY Salem | 7.2 mi | — |
| Crossler Middle School Salem | 7.3 mi | 4.9 |
| SILVERLEAF SCHOOL Salem | 7.7 mi | — |
| Liberty Elementary School Salem | 7.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Myers Elementary School Salem | 9.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Candalaria Elementary School Salem | 8.5 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 97351 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,717
Median Home Value
$357,700
Median Rent
$1,592/mo
Population
11,384
College Educated
24.7%
Homeownership
62.4%
Avg Commute
24.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
32.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $84,717. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $357,700, with a median rent of $1,592/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Clackamas High School Clackamas, OR | 4.4 |
| Lebanon High School Lebanon, OR | 4.4 |
| Parkrose High School Portland, OR | 4.4 |
| Klamath Union High School Klamath Falls, OR | 4.5 |
| Marshfield Senior High School Coos Bay, OR | 4.6 |
| Scappoose High School Scappoose, OR | 4.6 |
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 1,014 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 22.5:1. 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 OR?
Central High School is ranked #1092 out of 1,226 schools in OR.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 14.7% math proficiency and 48.7% 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?
70.1% 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Independence). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,014
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (503) 838-0480
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central SD 13J- District Enrollment
- 3,072
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,990
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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