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Below Average

#1607 of 1,786 schools in TN

Central High

High School · Memphis-Shelby County Schools

306 S Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN 38104

Enrollment

1,300

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,607 of 1,786

In Memphis

#145 of 199

public schools

In district

#146 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

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Central High

4.1/10

High School in Memphis · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

1st Class Montessori

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

1st Class Montessori - I

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central High

Central High is a public high school in Memphis, TN, part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Central High serves approximately 1,300 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,607 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Central High show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • TN avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Central High 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 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-3.13 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.2% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-26.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Overall Proficiency23% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness5.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation9.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,695
Chronic Absenteeism32.5%

Central High — Students at Central High score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 19.3% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 37.3% (multi-year average, 2013-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 22 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2013
Math
75%
ELA
58%
2014
Math
71%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
6%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
2%
ELA
25%
2017
Math
4%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
8%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
8%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
28%
2025
Math
13%
ELA
32.2%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Central High Compares

See how Central High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
10th percentile in TN
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.4
Sports
19
10 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
78 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
9.6% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
10 boys'·9 girls'·17 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

306 S Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, TN 38104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Compass Community School Midtown Campus (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crosstown High School (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MEMPHIS RECOVERY CENTER (rated 6.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Memphis, see our Memphis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
1ST CLASS MONTESSORI Memphis 0.2 mi
1ST CLASS MONTESSORI - I Memphis 0.2 mi
Bellevue Middle Memphis 0.2 mi 3.5
Bruce Elementary Memphis 0.2 mi 5.8
Memphis Academy Of Science Engineering Middle/High Memphis 0.6 mi 5.3
MEMPHIS RECOVERY CENTER Memphis 0.8 mi 6.8
GRACE-ST LUKES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Memphis 0.8 mi 6.8
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Memphis 1.0 mi 8.0
Medical District High School Memphis 1.0 mi 6.6
Cummings Elementary/Middle Memphis 1.1 mi 4.8
Rozelle Elementary Memphis 1.2 mi 4.9
Crosstown High School Memphis 1.3 mi 7.3
Compass Community School Midtown Campus Memphis 1.2 mi 7.5
Hollis F. Price Middle College Memphis 1.4 mi 6.4
Soulsville Charter School Memphis 1.4 mi 5.5
Idlewild Elementary Memphis 1.3 mi 9.0
Memphis Delta Preparatory Memphis 1.6 mi 5.9
MIDTOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Memphis 1.6 mi 7.3
B. T. Washington High Memphis 1.5 mi 4.5
Hamilton School Memphis 2.0 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,452

Median Home Value

$301,100

Median Rent

$1,073/mo

Population

22,925

College Educated

51.9%

Homeownership

39.4%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

14.1%

Median Age

37.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Campbell County Comprehensive High School Jacksboro, TN 4.1
Tennessee Connections Academy Johnson County 9-12 White House, TN 4.1
West Ridge High School Blountville, TN 4.0
De Kalb County High School Smithville, TN 4.2
Brighton High School Brighton, TN 4.3
Central High School Knoxville, TN 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central High

What grades does Central High serve?

Central High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Central High?

Central High has an enrollment of approximately 1,300 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High?

The student-teacher ratio at Central High is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central High rank in TN?

Central High ranks #1,607 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central High has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2025).

Is Central High a charter school?

No, Central High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central High a Title I school?

No, Central High is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
78 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,300
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
78
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Shelby County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.5%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Memphis-Shelby County Schools
District Enrollment
110,057
Schools in District
222
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,695
District Rank
#146 of 202

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