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Very Good

#669 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 36% in state

Central High

High School · Wise County Public Schools

5000 Warrior Dr., Norton, VA 24273

Enrollment

663

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#669 of 1,851

In Norton

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#11 of 11

Wise County Public Schools

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Central High

7.2/10

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

Wise Primary

8.9/10

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

Norton Elementary

8.4/10

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

About Central High

Central High is a public high school in Norton, VA, part of Wise County Public Schools. Central High serves approximately 663 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #669 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Central High show 92% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 93% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.8
  • VA avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency97% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency92% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+21.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.3 pts
Overall Proficiency95% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+28.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness6.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation3.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,973
Chronic Absenteeism14.3%

Central High — Students at Central High score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 92.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 92.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
75.7% (2025 SOL)

Based on 27 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
96%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
95%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
97%
ELA
97.5%
2015
Math
96%
ELA
92%
2016
Math
95%
ELA
97.5%
2017
ELA
97.5%
2018
Math
95%
ELA
87%
2019
Math
95%
ELA
87%
2020*
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
97%
ELA
92%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
64th percentile in VA
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.9
Sports
17
9 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
3.2% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
9 boys'·8 girls'·27 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 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

5000 Warrior Dr., Norton, VA 24273

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. J.I. Burton High (rated 8.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eastside High (rated 8.3/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Coeburn), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union High (rated 8.0/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Norton, see our Norton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Wise Primary Wise 1.7 mi 8.9
Norton Elementary Norton 1.7 mi 8.4
L.F. Addington Middle Wise 1.8 mi 9.4
MINNICK EDUCATION CENTER - WISE Wise 2.3 mi
J.I. Burton High Norton 2.6 mi 8.4
Eastside High Coeburn 7.2 mi 8.3
Coeburn Primary Coeburn 7.2 mi 9.3
Coeburn Middle Coeburn 7.2 mi 9.2
Union Middle Big Stone Gap 9.0 mi 8.3
J.W. Adams Combined Pound 10.7 mi 9.6
Union Primary Big Stone Gap 9.2 mi 9.1
Union High Big Stone Gap 9.3 mi 8.0
Dungannon Elementary School Dungannon 11.3 mi 5.2
Jenkins Independent School Jenkins 14.5 mi 6.8
Twin Springs High Nickelsville 14.3 mi 7.4
Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia 12.9 mi 6.1
Rye Cove High Duffield 16.1 mi 7.1
Rye Cove Intermediate Clinchport 16.3 mi 6.2
Martha Jane Potter Elementary School Whitesburg 16.0 mi 4.2
Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg 15.5 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24273 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$39,797

Median Home Value

$105,600

Median Rent

$678/mo

Population

5,860

College Educated

13.4%

Homeownership

62.4%

Poverty Rate

22%

Median Age

43.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Buffalo Gap High Swoope, VA 7.2
Wilson Memorial High Fishersville, VA 7.2
Nelson County High Lovingston, VA 7.3
Westmoreland High Montross, VA 7.3
EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL Alexandria, VA 7.1
Tunstall High Dry Fork, VA 7.1

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 663 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High?

The student-teacher ratio at Central High is 17:1. 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 VA?

Central High ranks #669 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 92% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 93% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central High?

87.8% of students at Central High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
663
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Wise County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.3%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Wise County Public Schools
District Enrollment
5,883
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,973
District Rank
#11 of 11

How we rate schools

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