Average
#212 of 302 schools in RI
Central High School
High School · Providence
70 Fricker Street, Providence, RI 02903
Enrollment
1,019
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,019
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Rhode Island schools
#212 of 302
In Providence
#37 of 58
public schools
In district
#23 of 37
Providence
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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Central High School
High School in Providence · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Classical High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Providence Career Technical
0.1 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 Providence, RI, part of Providence. Central High School serves approximately 1,019 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #212 of 302 schools in RI.
Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 4% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- RI avg 6.9
What Parents Should Know
96% 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
View breakdown
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Central High School — Students at Central High School score 7% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 5%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores RI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from RI 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: 8.6/10.
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
70 Fricker Street, Providence, RI 02903
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Classical High School (rated 8.5/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BRADLEY SCHOOL PROVIDENCE (rated 8.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Village Green Virtual (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Providence, see our Providence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Classical High School Providence | 0.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Providence Career Technical Providence | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Urban Collaborative Program Providence | 0.3 mi | 5.1 |
| BRADLEY SCHOOL PROVIDENCE Providence | 0.3 mi | 8.2 |
| SouthSide Elementary Charter Providence | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| COMMUNITY PREPARATORY SCHOOL Providence | 0.4 mi | 6.4 |
| RINI Middle College Providence | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Sheila Skip Nowell Providence | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Charette Charter School Providence | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Providence Preparatory Charter Providence | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Trinity Academy Performing Art Providence | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| YouthBuild Preparatory Academy Providence | 0.6 mi | — |
| Village Green Virtual Providence | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Nuestro Mundo Public Charter S Providence | 0.9 mi | 2.6 |
| Metropolitan Career Tech Ctr Providence | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Gilbert Stuart Middle School Providence | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Robert L. Bailey IV Providence | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Paul Cuffee Lower School Providence | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Achievement First Promesa Providence | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| West Broadway Middle School Providence | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02903 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,987
Median Home Value
$365,600
Median Rent
$1,640/mo
Population
12,309
College Educated
53.2%
Homeownership
21.9%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
20.9%
Median Age
35.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Falls Sr High Central Falls, RI | 4.9 |
| Charles E. Shea High School Pawtucket, RI | 4.9 |
| Hope High School Providence, RI | 4.9 |
| William E. Tolman High Pawtucket, RI | 4.4 |
| Mount Pleasant High Providence, RI | 4.3 |
| Toll Gate High School Warwick, RI | 6.4 |
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 1,019 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 14:1. 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 RI?
Central High School ranks #212 of 302 schools in RI.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 4% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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?
87.7% 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,019
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 73
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Providence County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 96.1%
- Phone
- (401) 456-9111
- 4-Year Graduation
- 81.0%
Resources & Links
District
Providence- District Enrollment
- 19,856
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,050
- District Rank
- #23 of 37
Other Schools in This District
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