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Needs Improvement

#2045 of 2,105 schools in WI

Central High

High School · West Allis-West Milwaukee School District

8516 W Lincoln Ave, West Allis, WI 53227

Enrollment

1,032

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

3.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#2,045 of 2,105

In West Allis

#11 of 12

public schools

In district

#14 of 15

West Allis-West Milwaukee School District

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Central High

3.4/10

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

Franklin Elementary

5.0/10

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

St Pauls Lutheran School

7.1/10

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

About Central High

Central High is a public high school in West Allis, WI, part of West Allis-West Milwaukee School District. Central High serves approximately 1,032 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,045 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Central High show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.4
  • WI avg 5.5

What Parents Should Know

47% 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 Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency11% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-25.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness5.4Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate85%
AP Participation16.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,081
Chronic Absenteeism47.4%

Central High — Students at Central High score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 22.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.8% (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
58%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
58%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
25%
2012
Math
23%
ELA
21%
2013
Math
25%
ELA
24%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
23%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
18%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
16%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
14%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
14%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
3th percentile in WI
Academic
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.4
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
47.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
16.8% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·44 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

8516 W Lincoln Ave, West Allis, WI 53227

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST MATTHIAS PARISH SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Milwaukee), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.4 miles away, in nearby Milwaukee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Allis, see our West Allis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Franklin Elementary West Allis 0.2 mi 5.0
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 0.4 mi 7.1
Wilson Elementary West Allis 0.8 mi 5.2
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Allis 0.8 mi 7.0
James E Dottke Project-Based Learning High School West Allis 0.8 mi 5.4
Frank Lloyd Wright Intermediate West Allis 0.8 mi 5.5
Jefferson Elementary West Allis 0.8 mi 4.2
LAMB OF GOD EV LUTHERAN SCHOOL West Allis 0.9 mi 6.9
ST MATTHIAS PARISH SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.3 mi 8.0
Irving Elementary West Allis 1.1 mi 5.2
Mitchell Elementary West Allis 1.2 mi 6.2
THE RICHARDSON SCHOOL West Allis 1.2 mi 6.5
GOOD SHEPHERDS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee 1.4 mi 6.1
ST CHARLES EDUCATION CENTER Milwaukee 1.8 mi
Academy of Accelerated Learning Milwaukee 1.9 mi 6.7
Fairview Elementary Milwaukee 1.5 mi 4.6
Alcott Elementary Milwaukee 1.8 mi 3.5
Shared Journeys West Allis 1.6 mi
Deeper Learning Virtual Academy West Allis 1.6 mi 2.5
Horace Mann Elementary West Allis 1.6 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 53227 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,594

Median Home Value

$214,300

Median Rent

$1,057/mo

Population

22,988

College Educated

28.7%

Homeownership

48.5%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Median Age

38

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East High Appleton, WI 3.4
Memorial High Beloit, WI 3.4
East High Green Bay, WI 3.5
Park High Racine, WI 3.3
South High Sheboygan, WI 3.5
Shawano High Shawano, WI 3.6

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 1,032 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High?

The student-teacher ratio at Central High is 15.2:1. 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 #2,045 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Central High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 27% 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?

59.9% 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
60 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,032
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Milwaukee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
47.4%
4-Year Graduation
85.0%

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