Central Middle School of Science is a public magnet middle school in Anchorage, Alaska, serving 371 students in grades 7-8. The school stands out for its highly diverse student population, with a racial makeup that is significantly different from nearby schools in the Anchorage School District.
Despite its diversity, Central Middle School of Science has consistently ranked in the bottom quartile of Alaska middle schools in academic performance. The school's scores on standardized tests like the ASA/Science, STAR/English Language Arts, and STAR/Mathematics are significantly lower than the Anchorage School District and state averages. Interestingly, the school's performance varies widely across different student subgroups, with African American students ranking 2nd out of 2 Alaska middle schools, but Asian and White students ranking much lower.
Another key factor is the school's high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 80.05% - much higher than nearby schools. This suggests that socioeconomic factors may be contributing to the school's academic challenges. However, the school does have a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 17.3, indicating that staffing resources may not be the primary issue. Overall, Central Middle School of Science faces significant hurdles in improving the academic outcomes of its diverse, low-income student population, and may need to implement targeted interventions to address the unique needs of its community.
Students who attend Central Middle School of Science usually go on to attend West High School
In the 2022-23 school year, 371 students attended Central Middle School of Science.
Students at Central Middle School of Science are 19% White, 17% Hispanic, 15% American Indian, 15% Pacific Islander, 13% Two or more races, 12% African American, 9% Asian.
Central Middle School of Science ranks in the bottom 7.7% of Alaska middle schools.
Anchorage School District