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#1297 of 1,785 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

5.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Memphis

#101 of 199

public schools

Tennessee high schools

#263 of 361

In district

#107 of 202

Memphis-Shelby County Schools

About Central High

Central High serves 1,300 students in grades 9-12 in Memphis, Tennessee's Shelby County district. This regular public high school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, supported by 78 full-time equivalent teachers, providing reasonably sized classes for high school students. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1340 out of 1796 high schools statewide, placing it in the 25th percentile among Tennessee schools.

While these rankings indicate room for academic growth, Central High continues to serve its diverse student body with dedicated staff and programming. Located on South Bellevue Boulevard, Central High sits within the 38104 ZIP code area, a community of approximately 23,400 residents where half hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects a mix of economic backgrounds, with a median household income of $53,351 and median home values around $288,900.

The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 15 percent, suggesting a stable community foundation. Central High operates within Memphis's large city environment, giving students access to the cultural, educational, and career opportunities that come with urban living while serving families throughout this established Memphis neighborhood.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.2%
Math vs. State Avg-26.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness5.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,650

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

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 8.0%
School
State
39.2%
ELA Proficiency 33.4%
School
State
40.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
8%
ELA
40%
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: 4.8/10.

How Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
27th percentile in TN
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

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. Crosstown High School (rated 9.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Medical District High School (rated 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Compass Community School Midtown Campus (rated 7.0/10, 1.2 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 3.9
Bruce Elementary Memphis 0.2 mi 5.5
Memphis Academy Of Science Engineering Middle/High Memphis 0.6 mi 5.1
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 8.6
Cummings Elementary/Middle Memphis 1.1 mi 7.2
Rozelle Elementary Memphis 1.2 mi 5.2
Crosstown High School Memphis 1.3 mi 9.1
Compass Community School Midtown Campus Memphis 1.2 mi 7.0
Hollis F. Price Middle College Memphis 1.4 mi 6.4
Soulsville Charter School Memphis 1.4 mi 5.3
Idlewild Elementary Memphis 1.3 mi 8.9
Memphis Delta Preparatory Memphis 1.6 mi 4.7
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 4.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central High has a median household income of $56,452. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $301,100, with a median rent of $1,073/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Anderson County High School Clinton, TN 5.2
Lawrence Co High School Lawrenceburg, TN 5.2
Sevier County High School Sevierville, TN 5.2
Sullivan East High School Bluff City, TN 5.2
Coffee County Central High School Manchester, TN 5.3
Craigmont High Memphis, TN 5.3

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 is ranked #1297 out of 1,785 schools in TN.

What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High has a composite rating of 5.2 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?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central High has 8.0% math proficiency and 33.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (9,456/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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