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#1607 of 2,102 schools in WI

Central High

High School · Westosha Central UHS School District

PO Box 38, Salem, WI 53168

Enrollment

1,278

Student-Teacher

18.8:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#2 of 2

public schools

Wisconsin high schools

#291 of 499

About Central High

Central High serves 1,278 students in grades 9-12 in Salem, Wisconsin, operating as a regular public school in Kenosha County. With 68 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.8:1, providing reasonable class sizes for its large student body. The school receives a 3.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #1,951 out of 2,112 high schools statewide, placing it in the 8th percentile among Wisconsin schools.

While these rankings indicate significant room for academic growth, Central High continues to serve its community's educational needs as students work toward graduation and future goals. The school draws from a well-established community where families enjoy a median household income of $96,422 and median home values of $267,100. About 30% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains low at 2.9%.

The ZIP code area has a population of 9,337, creating a close-knit community atmosphere. Central High is situated in a rural area near the town of Salem, offering students a quieter educational environment away from urban distractions while still maintaining access to community resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Central High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected-13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation34.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,691

Central High — Students at Central High score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 38.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
41%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
43%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
24th percentile in WI
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
2.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

Location

PO Box 38, Salem, WI 53168

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Antioch Comm High School (rated 7.5/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Antioch), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakes Community High School (rated 7.2/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Lake Villa), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wilmot High (rated 6.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Wilmot), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Salem Elementary Salem 1.3 mi 6.7
Bristol Elementary Bristol 2.9 mi 7.0
Trevor-Wilmot Grade Trevor 4.2 mi 7.5
Riverview Elementary Silver Lake 3.3 mi 5.8
Brighton Elementary Kansasville 5.1 mi 7.0
W C Petty Elementary School Antioch 6.0 mi 3.9
Mary Kay McNeill ELC Antioch 6.0 mi 5.0
Antioch Upper Grade School Antioch 6.1 mi 5.6
Wilmot High Wilmot 5.3 mi 6.2
Hillcrest Elementary School Antioch 6.2 mi 8.0
Antioch Comm High School Antioch 6.6 mi 7.5
FAITH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Antioch 6.9 mi 5.3
Paris Elementary Kenosha 5.9 mi 5.8
Emmons Grade School Antioch 7.4 mi 8.2
Kansasville Elementary Kansasville 8.1 mi 9.2
Union Grove Elementary Union Grove 8.2 mi 6.7
Grass Lake Elem School Antioch 8.9 mi 7.9
Oakland Elementary School Lake Villa 8.9 mi 5.1
Lakes Community High School Lake Villa 8.9 mi 7.2
Union Grove High Union Grove 9.1 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53168 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$104,712

Median Home Value

$289,500

Median Rent

$1,268/mo

Population

9,381

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

82.4%

Avg Commute

32.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

43.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central High has a median household income of $104,712. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,500, with a median rent of $1,268/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Greenfield High Greenfield, WI 5.4
Hortonville High Hortonville, WI 5.4
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee, WI 5.4
Nathan Hale High West Allis, WI 5.4
Whitnall High Greenfield, WI 5.4
Craig High Janesville, WI 5.5

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 1,278 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High?

The student-teacher ratio at Central High is 18.8:1. 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 #1607 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High has a composite rating of 5.4 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 38.5% math proficiency and 46.5% 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?

11.3% 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
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (261/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,278
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
11.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kenosha County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Westosha Central UHS School District
District Enrollment
1,278
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,866
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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