Is Central High School a good school?

Central High School ranks in the bottom 5.6% of Arkansas high schools.

How many students attend Central High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 493 students attended Central High School.

What is the racial makeup of Central High School?

Students at Central High School are 94% African American, 3% White, 1% Two or more races.

What schools feed into Central High School?

Central High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : J.F. Wahl Elementary School

Central High School

Summary:

Central High School is a public high school located in West Helena, Arkansas, serving grades 7-12 with a total enrollment of 493 students. The school is part of the Helena / West Helena School District, which is ranked 244 out of 252 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. Central High School has consistently ranked in the bottom 10-15% of Arkansas high schools over the past decade, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Central High School significantly underperforms the state averages across all subject areas and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 11.2% of students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 33.8%. In mathematics, the school had a dismal 4.2% proficiency rate, compared to the state's 36.4%. The school's performance on the ACT exam is also very low, with only 4.1% of 11th-grade students proficient or better in Mathematics, 17.8% in English, 11% in Reading, and 5.5% in Science, all well below the state averages. The school has a 100% free and reduced-lunch rate, indicating that the student population comes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Despite the school's higher-than-average per-student spending of $14,207 in 2018-2019, its performance has remained consistently poor over the past decade, with no significant improvement in its statewide ranking or academic proficiency rates. The nearby schools, such as Lee High School, Marvell-Elaine High School, and Barton High School, also struggle with low academic performance, but Central High School consistently ranks at the bottom of the group. Addressing the underlying socioeconomic challenges faced by the school and its district may be crucial in improving student achievement.

Detail:

Public 7-12

103 School Rd
West Helena, AR 72390

(870) 572-6744

District: Helena / West Helena School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
288^th of 305 Arkansas High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,207

Feeder schools for Central High School:

Elementary:

J.F. Wahl Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 8.2

Number of students: 493

Racial breakdown:

African American:

94.3%

White:

3.2%

Two or more races:

1.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

See top rated Arkansas high schools

Compare Central High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Central High School ranks worse than 96.7% of middle schools in Arkansas. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 6.82. (See more...)

Compare Details Central High School ranks worse than 94.4% of high schools in Arkansas. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 13.19. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (94.3%), White (3.2%), two or more races (1.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central High School is 8.2. (See more...)

Compare Central High School employs 59.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central High School is $14,207.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Central High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Central High School 324^th of 335 Arkansas public middle schools. (See Central High School in the ranking list.)

SchoolDigger ranks Central High School 288^th of 305 Arkansas public high schools. (See Central High School in the ranking list.)

Helena / West Helena School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Helena / West Helena School District 244^th of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Your rating for Central High School?

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Rank History for Central High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	AR State Percentile
2013	11.05	257^th	278	7.6%
2014	2.40	277^th	280	1.1%
2015	14.24	256^th	275	6.9%
2016	15.08	286^th	312	8.3%
2017	12.62	293^rd	315	7.0%
2018	8.05	297^th	318	6.6%
2019	5.18	306^th	319	4.1%
2021	6.93	310^th	330	6.1%
2022	7.47	299^th	318	6.0%
2023	13.46	302^nd	330	8.5%
2024	6.82	324^th	335	3.3%

See the entire list of Arkansas High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Central High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	AR State Percentile
2006	15.38	203^rd	232	12.5%
2007	5.79	248^th	258	3.9%
2008	2.09	251^st	256	2.0%
2009	6.46	248^th	261	5.0%
2010	13.11	237^th	262	9.5%
2011	9.69	249^th	266	6.4%
2012	3.20	257^th	266	3.4%
2013	5.58	258^th	271	4.8%
2014	7.97	256^th	268	4.5%
2015	15.19	251^st	267	6.0%
2016	3.22	265^th	269	1.5%
2017	9.82	246^th	264	6.8%
2018	8.84	244^th	263	7.2%
2019	7.33	267^th	282	5.3%
2021	6.64	277^th	290	4.5%
2022	7.02	272^nd	282	3.5%
2023	7.31	278^th	295	5.8%
2024	13.19	288^th	305	5.6%

See the entire list of Arkansas High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

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Enrollment information for Central High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	355	884	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	1240
1989	321	867	1	2	n/a	n/a	n/a	1191
1990	318	831	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	1150
1991	285	757	2	0	0	n/a	n/a	1044
1992	289	768	0	7	0	n/a	n/a	1064
1993	267	748	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	1020
1994	224	821	3	8	0	n/a	n/a	1056
1995	168	822	4	5	1	n/a	n/a	1000
1996	168	822	4	5	1	n/a	n/a	1000
1997	140	878	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	1023
1998	145	971	3	7	0	n/a	n/a	1126
1999	101	947	3	7	0	n/a	n/a	1058
2000	92	933	4	7	0	n/a	n/a	1036
2001	78	905	3	3	1	n/a	n/a	990
2002	65	824	4	4	0	n/a	n/a	897
2003	65	824	4	4	0	n/a	n/a	897
2004	61	780	6	4	0	n/a	n/a	851
2005	57	727	4	4	0	n/a	n/a	792
2006	49	795	4	2	0	n/a	n/a	850
2007	24	768	4	2	0	n/a	n/a	798
2008	22	771	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	798
2009	22	774	1	2	0	n/a	n/a	799
2010	19	674	1	2	0	0	0	696
2011	19	663	2	0	0	0	0	684
2012	17	550	0	0	0	0	0	567
2013	25	721	3	0	0	0	3	752
2014	21	740	2	0	0	0	3	766
2015	16	712	1	2	0	0	6	737
2016	18	620	0	1	0	0	2	641
2017	20	611	0	1	0	0	1	633
2018	22	580	0	2	0	0	5	609
2019	24	557	0	1	0	0	4	586
2020	20	549	0	2	0	0	7	578
2021	17	539	0	2	0	0	7	565
2022	14	502	0	5	0	0	3	524
2023	16	465	0	4	0	1	7	493

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Central High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1240	70.7	17.5	n/a
1989	1191	73.0	16.3	n/a
1990	1150	69.0	16.6	55.1
1991	1044	67.6	15.4	57.8
1992	1064	65.7	16.1	60.4
1993	1020	66.2	15.4	55.9
1994	1056	65.2	16.2	57.6
1995	1000	68.6	14.6	46.1
1996	1000	68.6	14.6	46.1
1997	1023	68.4	15.0	47.9
1998	1126	68.4	16.5	52.2
1999	1058	43.6	24.3	61.2
2000	1036	69.0	15.0	59.5
2001	990	66.0	15.0	56.1
2002	897	62.0	14.5	78.5
2003	897	62.0	14.5	78.5
2004	851	80.0	10.6	73.3
2005	792	70.0	11.3	99.5
2006	850	73.0	11.6	81.3
2007	798	65.0	12.3	99.5
2008	798	63.0	12.7	99.6
2009	799	57.9	13.8	99.6
2010	696	62.1	11.0	99.6
2011	684	68.2	10.0	99.6
2012	567	39.7	14.2	86.4
2013	752	71.0	10.5	91.6
2014	766	67.0	11.4	94.8
2015	737	64.0	11.5	95.7
2016	641	60.0	10.6	100
2017	633	55.1	11.4	36
2018	609	56.1	10.8	36.9
2019	586	64.3	9.1	100
2020	578	58.3	9.9	100
2021	565	67.0	8.4	100
2022	524	58.0	9.0	100
2023	493	59.8	8.2	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Central High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1240	70.7	17.5	n/a
1989	1191	73.0	16.3	n/a
1990	1150	69.0	16.6	55.1
1991	1044	67.6	15.4	57.8
1992	1064	65.7	16.1	60.4
1993	1020	66.2	15.4	55.9
1994	1056	65.2	16.2	57.6
1995	1000	68.6	14.6	46.1
1996	1000	68.6	14.6	46.1
1997	1023	68.4	15.0	47.9
1998	1126	68.4	16.5	52.2
1999	1058	43.6	24.3	61.2
2000	1036	69.0	15.0	59.5
2001	990	66.0	15.0	56.1
2002	897	62.0	14.5	78.5
2003	897	62.0	14.5	78.5
2004	851	80.0	10.6	73.3
2005	792	70.0	11.3	99.5
2006	850	73.0	11.6	81.3
2007	798	65.0	12.3	99.5
2008	798	63.0	12.7	99.6
2009	799	57.9	13.8	99.6
2010	696	62.1	11.0	99.6
2011	684	68.2	10.0	99.6
2012	567	39.7	14.2	86.4
2013	752	71.0	10.5	91.6
2014	766	67.0	11.4	94.8
2015	737	64.0	11.5	95.7
2016	641	60.0	10.6	100
2017	633	55.1	11.4	36
2018	609	56.1	10.8	36.9
2019	586	64.3	9.1	100
2020	578	58.3	9.9	100
2021	565	67.0	8.4	100
2022	524	58.0	9.0	100
2023	493	59.8	8.2	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Central High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$2,440 (17.2%)	$11,767 (82.8%)	$14,207

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Central High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 306^th of 319 Middle schools	Ranks 302^nd of 330 Middle schools	4.4%
Ranks 267^th of 282 High schools	Ranks 278^th of 295 High schools	0.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
7th Grade English (Central High School)	61.9	73.3	11.4%
7th Grade English (Helena / West Helena School District)	61.9	73.3	11.4%
7th Grade English (Arkansas)	78.3	75.1	3.2%
7th Grade Math (Central High School)	10.7	8.5	2.2%
7th Grade Math (Helena / West Helena School District)	10.7	8.5	2.2%
7th Grade Math (Arkansas)	47.7	39.6	8.1%
7th Grade Science (Central High School)	21.5	18.3	3.2%
7th Grade Science (Helena / West Helena School District)	21.5	18.3	3.2%
7th Grade Science (Arkansas)	43	38.5	4.5%
7th Grade Reading (Central High School)	13.1	8.4	4.7%
7th Grade Reading (Helena / West Helena School District)	13.1	8.4	4.7%
7th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	39.2	34.2	5%
8th Grade English (Central High School)	51	53	2%
8th Grade English (Helena / West Helena School District)	51	53	2%
8th Grade English (Arkansas)	74.1	69.2	4.9%
8th Grade Math (Central High School)	14.2	4.5	9.7%
8th Grade Math (Helena / West Helena School District)	14.2	4.5	9.7%
8th Grade Math (Arkansas)	47.7	37.9	9.8%
8th Grade Science (Central High School)	18.4	12.1	6.3%
8th Grade Science (Helena / West Helena School District)	18.4	12.1	6.3%
8th Grade Science (Arkansas)	42.5	36.1	6.4%
8th Grade Reading (Central High School)	19.4	34.9	15.5%
8th Grade Reading (Helena / West Helena School District)	19.4	34.9	15.5%
8th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	53.1	50.8	2.3%
9th Grade English (Central High School)	31.4	28.4	3%
9th Grade English (Helena / West Helena School District)	31.4	28.4	3%
9th Grade English (Arkansas)	58.6	53.4	5.2%
9th Grade Math (Central High School)	3.5	2.3	1.2%
9th Grade Math (Helena / West Helena School District)	3.5	2.3	1.2%
9th Grade Math (Arkansas)	35.8	26.6	9.2%
9th Grade Science (Central High School)	15.1	10.2	4.9%
9th Grade Science (Helena / West Helena School District)	15.1	10.2	4.9%
9th Grade Science (Arkansas)	35	31.9	3.1%
9th Grade Reading (Central High School)	11.6	17.1	5.5%
9th Grade Reading (Helena / West Helena School District)	11.6	17.1	5.5%
9th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	37.4	40.6	3.2%
10th Grade English (Central High School)	37.6	21.7	15.9%
10th Grade English (Helena / West Helena School District)	37.6	21.7	15.9%
10th Grade English (Arkansas)	59.6	54.4	5.2%
10th Grade Math (Central High School)	2.4	0	2.4%
10th Grade Math (Helena / West Helena School District)	2.4	0	2.4%
10th Grade Math (Arkansas)	29.2	20.4	8.8%
10th Grade Science (Central High School)	9.5	7.2	2.3%
10th Grade Science (Helena / West Helena School District)	9.5	7.2	2.3%
10th Grade Science (Arkansas)	33	28.6	4.4%
10th Grade Reading (Central High School)	16.7	14.4	2.3%
10th Grade Reading (Helena / West Helena School District)	16.7	14.4	2.3%
10th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	32.2	35.9	3.7%
11th Grade Mathematics (Central High School)	3.3	4.1	0.8%
11th Grade Mathematics (Helena / West Helena School District)	3.3	4.1	0.8%
11th Grade English (Central High School)	16.3	17.8	1.5%
11th Grade English (Helena / West Helena School District)	16.3	17.8	1.5%
11th Grade Reading (Central High School)	6.5	11	4.5%
11th Grade Reading (Helena / West Helena School District)	6.5	11	4.5%
11th Grade Science (Central High School)	2.2	5.5	3.3%
11th Grade Science (Helena / West Helena School District)	2.2	5.5	3.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	586	493	15.9%
African American	557	465	16.5%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	1	4	300%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	24	16	33.3%
Two or More Races	4	7	75%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Central High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2024)					ATLAS Reading (2024)					ATLAS Mathematics (2024)			ATLAS Algebra (2024)			ATLAS Geometry (2024)				ATLAS Science (2024)			ATLAS Biology (2024)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 9th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 10th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 7th Grade	ATLAS Reading 8th Grade	ATLAS Reading 9th Grade	ATLAS Reading 10th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 7th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 8th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 8th Grade	ATLAS Algebra 9th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Geometry 9th Grade	ATLAS Geometry 10th Grade	ATLAS Geometry 11th Grade	ATLAS Geometry All Grades	ATLAS Science 7th Grade	ATLAS Science 8th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	ATLAS Biology 9th Grade	ATLAS Biology 10th Grade	ATLAS Biology 11th Grade	ATLAS Biology 12th Grade	ATLAS Biology All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central High School	Public	7-12	103 School Rd	West Helena	72390	Phillips County	Helena / West Helena School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 572-6744	493	60	8.2	100.0%	16 (3.2%)	465 (94.3%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	7 (1.4%)	13.2	288^th of 305 public high schools	5.6%		7.3	278^th of 295 public high schools	5.8%	10	13.0	5.8	15.0	11.4	11.2	15.9	7.2	16.7	13.9	13.3	7.2	0.0	4.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0		0.0	8.7	5.7	7.2	17.6	0.0	0.0		13.0	$14,207	$2,440	$11,767
Kipp:delta Collegiate High School	Public, Charter	9-12	320 Missouri St	Helena	72342	Phillips County	KIPP Delta Public Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(870) 753-9444	199	38	5.1	100.0%	6 (3.0%)	190 (95.5%)	2 (1.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15.9	276^th of 305 public high schools	9.5%		17.1	264^th of 295 public high schools	10.5%	12			12.7	13.0	12.9			16.1	17.4	16.6					5.4	5.3								12.5	33.3			13.6	$15,073	$1,603	$13,470
Barton High School	Public	7-12	9546 Hwy 85 S	Barton	72312	Phillips County	Barton School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 572-6867	323	27	11.9	100.0%	184 (57.0%)	129 (39.9%)	6 (1.9%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	23.3	254^th of 305 public high schools	16.7%		15.5	267^th of 295 public high schools	9.5%	13	11.4	28.8	20.4	17.2	20.2	20.5	24.2	22.4	17.2	21.0	13.7	18.7	16.7		13.0	12.3	0.0	0.0		0.0	27.3	24.2	25.5	0.0	19.3		0.0	18.1	$10,179	$1,384	$8,795
Marvell-Elaine High School	Public	7-12	1018b Hwy 49	Marvell	72366	Phillips County	Marvell-Elaine School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 829-1351	127	21	6.0	100.0%	8 (6.3%)	113 (89.0%)	5 (3.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	6.9	302^nd of 305 public high schools	1.0%		4.6	287^th of 295 public high schools	2.7%	15	7.1	0.0	6.3	0.0	3.4	14.3	0.0	12.5	0.0	6.9	21.4	0.0	10.7		0.0	0.0		0.0		0.0	7.1	0.0	3.6		0.0			0.0	$15,276	$3,194	$12,082
Lee High School	Public	7-12	523 N Forrest Ave	Marianna	72360	Lee County	Lee County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 295-7130	255	70	3.6	100.0%	17 (6.7%)	229 (89.8%)	9 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21.8	259^th of 305 public high schools	15.1%		7	279^th of 295 public high schools	5.4%	20	12.3	5.0	8.3	13.5	10.1	12.3	9.7	10.4	15.4	12.1	12.2	6.1	9.7		20.8	17.2		8.7	0.0	8.5	14.3	7.3	11.1	0.0	8.7	0.0		7.3	$14,471	$2,496	$11,975

Central High School

Helena / West Helena School District:

What do you think?

Rank History for Central High School

Rank History for Central High School

Enrollment information for Central High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Central High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Central High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Central High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Central High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Central High School