Central High School

103 School Rd
West Helena, AR 72390
(School attendance zone shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 493 students in grades 7-12, Central High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Arkansas for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 4% (which is lower than the Arkansas state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 14% (which is lower than the Arkansas state average of 40%).
The student:teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the Arkansas state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 41% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 493 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 8:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 97%
  • : 80-84% (Btm 50% in AR)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 4% (Btm 50%)
  • : 14% (Btm 50%)
  • : 8% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Central High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arkansas for:

School Overview

Central High School's student population of 493 students has declined by 15% over five school years.
The teacher population of 60 teachers has declined by 6% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
493 students
This chart displays total students of Central High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Central High School
Total Classroom Teachers
60 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Central High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Central High School by grade.

School Rankings

Central High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 997 schools in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Central High School is 0.12, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.60. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (AR)
#979 out of 997 schools
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Central High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
4%
38%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Central High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
14%
40%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Central High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
8%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Central High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
13:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Central High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Central High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2006-07 school year data.
Hispanic
1%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Central High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
94%
19%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Central High School and the percentage of Black public school students in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
3%
59%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Central High School and the percentage of White public school students in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
1%
Two or more races
2%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Central High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Central High School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Arkansas.
0.12
This chart displays the diversity score of Central High School and the public school average diversity score of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
80-84%
88%
This chart displays graduation rate of Central High School and public school graduation rate of Arkansas by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
54%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Central High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
2%
9%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Central High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Arkansas by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Central High School's ranking?
Central High School is ranked #979 out of 997 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Arkansas.
What schools are Central High School often compared to?
Central High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Barton High School, Kipp Delta Collegiate High School, Marvell High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
4% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% AR state average), while 14% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AR state average).
What is the graduation rate of Central High School?
The graduation rate of Central High School is 80-84%, which is lower than the Arkansas state average of 88%.
How many students attend Central High School?
493 students attend Central High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
94% of Central High School students are Black, 3% of students are White, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Central High School?
Central High School has a student ration of 8:1, which is lower than the Arkansas state average of 13:1.
What grades does Central High School offer ?
Central High School offers enrollment in grades 7-12 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Central High School part of?
Central High School is part of Helena/ W.Helena School District.

School Reviews

5   11/25/2016
i think the school has improved since i've been here. i just wish they had more activities
- Posted by Student/Alumni - d

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 493 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 8:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 97%
  • : 80-84% (Btm 50%)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 4% (Btm 50%)
  • : 14% (Btm 50%)
  • : 8% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

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