Average
#103 of 302 schools in RI
Top 34% in state
Central High School
High School · Providence
70 Fricker Street, Providence, RI 02903
Enrollment
1,019
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,019
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Providence
#14 of 58
public schools
Rhode Island high schools
#20 of 58
In district
#12 of 37
Providence
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Central High School
Central High School serves 1,019 students in grades 9-12 in Providence, Rhode Island's 02903 neighborhood. With 73 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 14:1 student-teacher ratio, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in core subject areas.
Currently, 12% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 2% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results place Central High School at #288 out of 303 high schools statewide, indicating the school is focusing intensively on student development and academic improvement. Located at 70 Fricker Street, Central High School sits within a diverse urban community where the median household income is $57,850 and 52% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood reflects the complexity of urban education, with a 21.5% poverty rate alongside a median home value of $359,600, suggesting a community of mixed economic circumstances. As a regular public high school in Providence County, Central High School serves students in a mid-size city environment where urban resources and challenges intersect to create a dynamic educational setting.
Score 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 6 test records from RI 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: 8.4/10.
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 remained stable from 2% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 13% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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. BRADLEY SCHOOL PROVIDENCE (rated 8.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Village Green Virtual (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sheila Skip Nowell (rated 6.7/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 6.5 |
| Providence Career Technical Providence | 0.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Urban Collaborative Program Providence | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| BRADLEY SCHOOL PROVIDENCE Providence | 0.3 mi | 8.2 |
| SouthSide Elementary Charter Providence | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| Charette Charter School Providence | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Providence Preparatory Charter Providence | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Trinity Academy Performing Art Providence | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| YouthBuild Preparatory Academy Providence | 0.6 mi | — |
| Village Green Virtual Providence | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Nuestro Mundo Public Charter S Providence | 0.9 mi | 2.4 |
| Metropolitan Career Tech Ctr Providence | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Gilbert Stuart Middle School Providence | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Robert L. Bailey IV Providence | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Paul Cuffee Lower School Providence | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Achievement First Promesa Providence | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| West Broadway Middle School Providence | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central High School has a median household income of $62,987. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $365,600, with a median rent of $1,640/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Chariho High School Wood River Junction, RI | 6.8 |
| Burrillville High School Harrisville, RI | 6.7 |
| Cumberland High School Cumberland, RI | 6.6 |
| Toll Gate High School Warwick, RI | 6.6 |
| Classical High School Providence, RI | 6.5 |
| Johnston Senior High Johnston, 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 is ranked #103 out of 302 schools in RI.
What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 2.3% math proficiency and 12.3% 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?
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 95 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 66 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 74 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,935/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Providence). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (401) 456-9111
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Providence- District Enrollment
- 19,856
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,050
- District Rank
- #12 of 37
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.
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