Very Good
#336 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 16% in state
Central High
High School · La Crosse School District
1801 Losey Blvd S, La Crosse, WI 54601
Enrollment
1,014
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,014
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Crosse
#3 of 19
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#29 of 499
In district
#3 of 19
La Crosse School District
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Central High
Central High serves 1,014 students in grades 9-12 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 and 83 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #642 out of 2,112 schools statewide, placing it in the 70th percentile among Wisconsin high schools. The school operates within a diverse community where 40% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a solid educational foundation in the area.
The surrounding neighborhood shows a median household income of $57,500 and median home values of $201,700, with a poverty rate of 19.0% indicating a mix of economic circumstances among families. Central High's relatively manageable class sizes, with its 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio, provide opportunities for more individualized attention compared to many larger high schools. The school's middle-tier ranking suggests steady academic performance with room for continued growth and improvement.
Located on Losey Boulevard South in this small city setting, Central High sits within a community of over 51,000 residents in the 54601 ZIP code area. La Crosse's small city atmosphere offers students the benefits of a close-knit community while providing access to the resources and opportunities that come with a more substantial population base.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Central High — Students at Central High score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.9/10.
How Central High Compares
See how Central High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 26% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 35% (2019) to 36% (2021).
Location
1801 Losey Blvd S, La Crosse, WI 54601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, La Crosse Polytechnic School (rated 4.9/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in La Crosse, see our La Crosse schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spence Elementary La Crosse | 0.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Longfellow Middle La Crosse | 0.5 mi | 7.1 |
| MT CALVARY-GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Crosse | 0.7 mi | 4.4 |
| La Crosse Offsite Preschool La Crosse | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| CHILEDA La Crosse | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| State Road Elementary La Crosse | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Hintgen Elementary La Crosse | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| CATHEDRAL SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Emerson Elementary La Crosse | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| DRIFTLESS PASS SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.6 mi | — |
| FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS La Crosse | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL La Crosse | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| School of Technology and Arts I La Crosse | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Hamilton Elementary School La Crosse | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| La Crosse Polytechnic School La Crosse | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Coulee Region Virtual Academy La Crosse | 2.0 mi | 3.4 |
| COULEE CONNECTIONS - ALTERNATIVEEDUCATION La Crosse | 2.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Southern Bluffs Elementary La Crosse | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 54601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,078
Median Home Value
$220,200
Median Rent
$998/mo
Population
50,474
College Educated
39.9%
Homeownership
54.5%
Avg Commute
16.9 min
Poverty Rate
19.2%
Median Age
32.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central High has a median household income of $60,078. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,200, with a median rent of $998/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.2%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Riverside High Milwaukee, WI | 7.7 |
| Pulaski High Pulaski, WI | 7.6 |
| Eisenhower Middle/High New Berlin, WI | 7.9 |
| Homestead High Mequon, WI | 7.5 |
| Lakeland High Minocqua, WI | 7.5 |
| New Berlin West Middle/High New Berlin, WI | 7.9 |
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 1,014 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High is 12.2:1. 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 WI?
Central High is ranked #336 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?
Central High has a composite rating of 7.7 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 23.0% math proficiency and 35.5% 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.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central High?
42.5% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 61 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 35 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 62 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,109/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Crosse). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,014
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 83
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- La Crosse County
- Phone
- (608) 789-7900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
La Crosse School District- District Enrollment
- 5,794
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,989
- District Rank
- #3 of 19
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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