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Below Average

#1574 of 1,786 schools in TN

Central High School

High School · Knox County

5321 Jacksboro PIKE, Knoxville, TN 37918

Enrollment

1,296

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,574 of 1,786

In Knoxville

#67 of 82

public schools

In district

#74 of 88

Knox County

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Central High School

4.3/10

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

Garden Montessori School

7.7/10

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

Fountain City Elementary

7.6/10

0.5 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 Knoxville, TN, part of Knox County. Central High School serves approximately 1,296 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,574 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Central High School show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • TN avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

36% 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 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.6% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.8% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-17.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate77%
AP Participation18.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,187
Chronic Absenteeism35.7%

Central High School — Students at Central High School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 46.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 30 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
25%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
30%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
55%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
55%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
3%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
4%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
8%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
35%
2025
Math
21.6%
ELA
44.8%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
12th percentile in TN
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
15
8 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
86 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
18.1% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics15sports offered
8 boys'·7 girls'·22 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

5321 Jacksboro PIKE, Knoxville, TN 37918

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy (rated 6.9/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Richard Yoakley School (rated 5.6/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Halls High School (rated 4.6/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Knoxville, see our Knoxville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
GARDEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Knoxville 0.2 mi 7.7
Fountain City Elementary Knoxville 0.5 mi 7.6
Gresham Middle School Knoxville 0.7 mi 4.3
Shannondale Elementary Knoxville 1.4 mi 8.2
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Knoxville 1.5 mi 6.8
Whittle Springs Middle School Knoxville 1.8 mi 5.1
Tennessee Virtual Academy Knoxville 2.0 mi 4.4
Tennessee Virtual Junior High School Knoxville 2.0 mi 2.6
Adrian Burnett Elementary Knoxville 2.0 mi 5.8
Belle Morris Elementary Knoxville 2.9 mi 4.1
Sterchi Elementary Knoxville 2.5 mi 5.0
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy Knoxville 2.9 mi 6.9
Richard Yoakley School Knoxville 2.5 mi 5.6
BEREAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Knoxville 2.9 mi 7.2
Inskip Elementary Knoxville 2.9 mi 4.3
Christenberry Elementary Knoxville 3.2 mi 7.6
Halls Middle School Knoxville 3.2 mi 4.7
Fulton High School Knoxville 3.2 mi 3.7
Halls High School Knoxville 3.3 mi 4.6
Halls Elementary Knoxville 3.3 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37918 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,311

Median Home Value

$237,500

Median Rent

$1,102/mo

Population

45,978

College Educated

30.8%

Homeownership

67.9%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

38.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brighton High School Brighton, TN 4.3
Greenbrier High School Greenbrier, TN 4.3
De Kalb County High School Smithville, TN 4.2
Red Bank High School Chattanooga, TN 4.4
Ridgeway High Memphis, TN 4.4
West Creek High Clarksville, TN 4.4

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 1,296 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 15.1:1. 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 TN?

Central High School ranks #1,574 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,296
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
86
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Knox County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.7%
4-Year Graduation
77.0%

District

Knox County
District Enrollment
60,604
Schools in District
94
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,187
District Rank
#74 of 88

How we rate schools

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