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Below Average

#1646 of 2,105 schools in WI

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

4.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,646 of 2,105

In La Crosse

#14 of 19

public schools

In district

#14 of 19

La Crosse School District

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Central High

4.9/10

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

Spence Elementary

8.3/10

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

Longfellow Middle

6.7/10

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

About Central High

Central High is a public high school in La Crosse, WI, part of La Crosse School District. Central High serves approximately 1,014 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,646 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Central High show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.9 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • WI avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

39% 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 Progress2.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency31% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness7.4Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate86%
AP Participation30.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,989
Chronic Absenteeism39.3%

Central High — Students at Central High score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
40%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
49%
2013
Math
45%
ELA
43%
2014
Math
33%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
36%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
22th percentile in WI
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.5/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.4
Sports
21
11 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
83 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
30.4% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
11 boys'·10 girls'·26 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

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), which scores notably higher. Additionally, La Crosse Polytechnic School (rated 6.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 8.3
Longfellow Middle La Crosse 0.5 mi 6.7
MT CALVARY-GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Crosse 0.7 mi 4.4
La Crosse Offsite Preschool La Crosse 0.8 mi 3.8
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 4.7
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL La Crosse 1.3 mi 6.6
Emerson Elementary La Crosse 1.6 mi 7.4
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 8.3
Hamilton Elementary School La Crosse 1.5 mi 6.7
La Crosse Polytechnic School La Crosse 2.0 mi 6.2
Coulee Region Virtual Academy La Crosse 2.0 mi 2.0
COULEE CONNECTIONS - ALTERNATIVEEDUCATION La Crosse 2.9 mi 4.4
Southern Bluffs Elementary La Crosse 3.3 mi 7.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
De Forest High De Forest, WI 4.9
East High West Bend, WI 4.9
Greendale High Greendale, WI 4.9
Walden III High Racine, WI 4.9
Watertown High Watertown, WI 4.9
West High West Bend, WI 4.9

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 ranks #1,646 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
61 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.3%
4-Year Graduation
86.0%

District

La Crosse School District
District Enrollment
5,794
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,989
District Rank
#14 of 19

How we rate schools

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