Central High School

Q: Is Central High School a good school?

Central High School ranks 496 th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Central High School is a public high school located in Brooksville, Florida, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 1,426 students. The school is part of the Hernando District, which is ranked 44 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 2 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Central High School has a more diverse student population compared to the nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (29.03%) and African American (10.1%) students. The school has maintained a relatively high four-year graduation rate, ranging from 89.1% to 91.0% over the past few years, which is higher than the district and state averages. However, Central High School has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, reaching 47.5% in the 2021-2022 school year, which is much higher than the nearby schools and the state average. The school's test scores, particularly in Algebra 1, Geometry, and English Language Arts, are consistently lower than the district and state averages, indicating academic challenges. Additionally, Central High School has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 50.09% to 55.2% over the past few years, which is higher than the nearby schools.

Despite the increase in spending per student at Central High School, from $7,757 in 2019-2020 to $9,625 in 2022-2023, the school's academic performance, as measured by test scores and statewide ranking, has not shown a corresponding improvement. The school's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 279 out of 687 Florida high schools in 2013-2014 to 496 out of 807 in 2023-2024, indicating a relative decline in performance compared to other schools in the state. The higher percentage of Hispanic and African American students at Central High School compared to the nearby schools may indicate a need for culturally responsive teaching practices and support services to ensure the success of all students.

Detail:

Public 9-12

14075 Ken Austin Pkwy
Brooksville, FL 34613

(352) 797-7020

District: Hernando

SchoolDigger Rank:
496^th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,625

Feeder schools for Central High School:

Elementary:

John D. Floyd Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 18.3

Number of students: 1,452

Racial breakdown:

White:

48.8%

Hispanic:

33.5%

African American:

9.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 57.2%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Central High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Central High School ranks worse than 61.5% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 4^th among 5 ranked high schools in the Hernando School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 33.76. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Central High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (48.8%), Hispanic (33.5%), African American (9.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 57.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central High School is 18.3, which is the 2^nd best among 5 high schools in the Hernando School District. (See more...)

Compare Central High School employs 79 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central High School is $9,625, which is the highest among 7 high schools in the Hernando School District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Central High School 496^th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Central High School in the ranking list.)

Hernando:

SchoolDigger ranks Hernando 44^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Central High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	58.27	212^th	484	56.2%
2005	53.33	243^rd	487	50.1%
2006	55.00	224^th	477	53.0%
2007	51.46	286^th	563	49.2%
2008	53.12	284^th	577	50.8%
2009	55.45	284^th	587	51.6%
2010	59.05	276^th	620	55.5%
2011	55.72	298^th	622	52.1%
2012	47.31	264^th	606	56.4%
2013	37.58	396^th	648	38.9%
2014	54.69	279^th	687	59.4%
2016	44.95	327^th	693	52.8%
2017	40.64	367^th	714	48.6%
2018	36.84	406^th	716	43.3%
2019	35.45	434^th	734	40.9%
2021	36.30	408^th	746	45.3%
2022	31.63	484^th	774	37.5%
2023	33.67	463^rd	792	41.5%
2024	33.76	496^th	807	38.5%

See the entire list of Florida High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of 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	Not Specified	Total
1989	325	34	2	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	373
1990	759	54	10	38	0	n/a	n/a	0	861
1991	926	58	9	49	3	n/a	n/a	0	1045
1992	952	67	8	47	1	n/a	n/a	0	1075
1993	950	64	6	37	2	n/a	n/a	0	1059
1994	1075	73	8	55	2	n/a	n/a	0	1213
1995	1230	74	10	87	2	n/a	n/a	0	1403
1996	1230	74	10	87	2	n/a	n/a	0	1403
1997	1289	85	13	87	2	n/a	n/a	0	1476
1998	1321	82	14	85	1	n/a	n/a	0	1503
1999	1368	84	18	83	4	n/a	n/a	0	1557
2000	1388	103	22	105	2	n/a	n/a	0	1620
2001	1491	100	17	123	4	n/a	n/a	0	1735
2002	1621	130	15	179	3	n/a	n/a	0	1948
2003	1621	130	15	179	3	n/a	n/a	0	1948
2004	1470	111	17	184	3	n/a	n/a	0	1785
2005	1586	120	31	198	2	n/a	n/a	0	1937
2006	1603	117	30	209	3	n/a	n/a	0	1962
2007	1553	123	26	234	7	n/a	n/a	43	1986
2008	1566	138	28	249	7	n/a	n/a	68	2056
2009	1404	142	28	271	6	n/a	n/a	78	1929
2010	1336	127	31	243	12	n/a	n/a	69	1818
2011	1162	107	27	274	8	0	32	0	1610
2012	1038	100	26	234	6	0	24	0	1428
2013	827	99	24	224	4	0	21	0	1199
2014	823	84	26	205	3	2	29	0	1172
2015	823	96	21	207	2	1	30	0	1180
2016	805	89	21	213	2	1	34	0	1165
2017	840	108	18	227	2	2	41	0	1238
2018	845	124	26	267	2	1	38	0	1303
2019	798	111	27	282	3	1	47	0	1269
2020	765	106	35	274	3	3	61	0	1247
2021	662	79	30	265	1	1	62	0	1100
2022	700	115	37	344	1	0	82	0	1279
2023	744	144	35	414	3	2	84	0	1426
2024	709	142	27	487	2	1	84	0	1452

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
1989	373	28.0	13.3	26.5
1990	861	60.0	14.3	25.1
1991	1045	68.0	15.3	23.8
1992	1075	66.0	16.2	18.3
1993	1059	60.0	17.7	21.8
1994	1213	64.0	19.0	26.9
1995	1403	72.0	19.5	29.7
1996	1403	72.0	19.5	29.7
1997	1476	73.0	20.2	30.9
1998	1503	74.0	20.3	21.1
1999	1557	78.0	20.0	36.5
2000	1620	83.0	19.5	34
2001	1735	85.0	20.4	32
2002	1948	94.0	20.7	36.1
2003	1948	94.0	20.7	36.1
2004	1785	91.0	19.6	41.5
2005	1937	101.0	19.2	41.7
2006	1962	111.0	17.7	38.4
2007	1986	115.0	17.3	38.4
2008	2056	118.5	17.4	41.5
2009	1929	138.6	15.6	49.1
2010	1818	115.0	15.8	51.9
2011	1610	92.0	17.5	49.9
2012	1428	88.0	16.2	57.3
2013	1199	74.0	16.2	59.3
2014	1172	75.0	15.6	63.4
2015	1180	72.0	16.3	60.3
2016	1165	68.0	17.1	63.3
2017	1238	74.0	16.7	64.9
2018	1303	71.0	18.3	66.2
2019	1269	67.0	18.9	49.5
2020	1247	69.0	18.0	50.8
2021	1100	67.0	16.4	50.1
2022	1279	72.0	17.7	55.2
2023	1426	75.0	19.0	52.6
2024	1452	79.0	18.3	57.2

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
1989	373	28.0	13.3	26.5
1990	861	60.0	14.3	25.1
1991	1045	68.0	15.3	23.8
1992	1075	66.0	16.2	18.3
1993	1059	60.0	17.7	21.8
1994	1213	64.0	19.0	26.9
1995	1403	72.0	19.5	29.7
1996	1403	72.0	19.5	29.7
1997	1476	73.0	20.2	30.9
1998	1503	74.0	20.3	21.1
1999	1557	78.0	20.0	36.5
2000	1620	83.0	19.5	34
2001	1735	85.0	20.4	32
2002	1948	94.0	20.7	36.1
2003	1948	94.0	20.7	36.1
2004	1785	91.0	19.6	41.5
2005	1937	101.0	19.2	41.7
2006	1962	111.0	17.7	38.4
2007	1986	115.0	17.3	38.4
2008	2056	118.5	17.4	41.5
2009	1929	138.6	15.6	49.1
2010	1818	115.0	15.8	51.9
2011	1610	92.0	17.5	49.9
2012	1428	88.0	16.2	57.3
2013	1199	74.0	16.2	59.3
2014	1172	75.0	15.6	63.4
2015	1180	72.0	16.3	60.3
2016	1165	68.0	17.1	63.3
2017	1238	74.0	16.7	64.9
2018	1303	71.0	18.3	66.2
2019	1269	67.0	18.9	49.5
2020	1247	69.0	18.0	50.8
2021	1100	67.0	16.4	50.1
2022	1279	72.0	17.7	55.2
2023	1426	75.0	19.0	52.6
2024	1452	79.0	18.3	57.2

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)
2018	$446 (6.2%)	$6,735 (93.8%)	$7,181
2019	$451 (5.9%)	$7,231 (94.1%)	$7,683
2020	$400 (5.2%)	$7,356 (94.8%)	$7,757
2021	$688 (7.6%)	$8,400 (92.4%)	$9,088
2022	$873 (9.8%)	$8,041 (90.2%)	$8,914
2023	$1,421 (14.8%)	$8,204 (85.2%)	$9,625

Data source: Florida 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 434^th of 734 High schools	Ranks 463^rd of 792 High schools	0.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Central High School)	43	38	5%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	51	47	4%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Central High School)	39	35	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	49	45	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	53	49	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Central High School)	59	57	2%
End of Course Biology 1 (Hernando)	67	57	10%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course US History (Central High School)	70	56	14%
End of Course US History (Hernando)	70	56	14%
End of Course US History (Florida)	70	63	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Central High School)	38	33	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Hernando)	59	53	6%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Central High School)	43	34	9%
End of Course Geometry (Hernando)	55	46	9%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1269	1426	12.4%
African American	111	144	29.7%
American Indian	3	3
Asian	27	35	29.6%
Hispanic	282	414	46.8%
Pacific Islander	1	2	100%
White	798	744	6.8%
Two or More Races	47	84	78.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	49.5%	52.6%	3.1%

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)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
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	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central High School	Public	9-12	14075 Ken Austin Pkwy	Brooksville	34613	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	No	(352) 797-7020	1,452	79	18.3	57.2%	709 (48.8%)	142 (9.8%)	487 (33.5%)	27 (1.9%)	2 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	84 (5.8%)	33.8	496^th of 807 public high schools	38.5%		33.7	463^rd of 792 public high schools	41.5%	33	43.0	52.0	22.0	29.0	52.0	62.0	$9,625	$1,421	$8,204
Weeki Wachee High School	Public	9-12	12150 Vespa Way	Weeki Wachee	34614	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	No	(352) 797-7029	1,402	65	21.5	56.1%	894 (63.8%)	80 (5.7%)	350 (25.0%)	9 (0.6%)	4 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (4.6%)	37.6	444^th of 807 public high schools	45.0%		29.8	502^nd of 792 public high schools	36.6%	58	42.0	53.0	19.0	41.0	61.0	60.0	$8,627	$1,234	$7,393
Nature Coast Technical High	Public, Magnet	9-12	4057 California St	Brooksville	34604	Hernando County	Hernando	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 797-7088	1,346	62	21.7	41.9%	777 (57.7%)	90 (6.7%)	375 (27.9%)	32 (2.4%)	4 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	67 (5.0%)	48.1	325^th of 807 public high schools	59.7%		49.1	298^th of 792 public high schools	62.4%	27	51.0	58.0	45.0	56.0	63.0	60.0	$9,484	$1,105	$8,379
Pace Center For Girls	Public	6-12	3139 Dumont Ave	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 667-1918	25	3	8.3	32.0%	17 (68.0%)	4 (16.0%)	3 (12.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (4.0%)								(n/a)
Hernando County Jail	Public	8-12	16425 Spring Hill Dr	Brooksville	34604	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	No	(352) 797-3408	9	0		44.4%	4 (44.4%)	3 (33.3%)	2 (22.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Frank W. Springstead High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	3300 Mariner Blvd	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 797-7010	1,893	84	22.5	52.4%	1,023 (54.0%)	129 (6.8%)	565 (29.8%)	58 (3.1%)	4 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	114 (6.0%)	43.3	386^th of 807 public high schools	52.2%		36.7	423^rd of 792 public high schools	46.6%	37	48.0	55.0	16.0	42.0	62.0	70.0	$8,458	$1,158	$7,299
Hernando High School	Public	6-12	700 Bell Ave	Brooksville	34601	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	No	(352) 797-7015	1,270	62	20.4	60.2%	782 (61.6%)	171 (13.5%)	228 (18.0%)	16 (1.3%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	68 (5.4%)	29.1	551^st of 807 public high schools	31.7%		34.1	456^th of 792 public high schools	42.4%	95	42.0	44.0	21.0	28.0	49.0	59.0	$9,150	$1,205	$7,945
Camp E-Nini Hassee	Public	6-12	7027 E Stagecoach Tr	Floral City	34436	Citrus County	Citrus	No	No	No	Yes	(888) 726-3883	21	1	21.0	14.3%	13 (61.9%)	2 (9.5%)	3 (14.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (9.5%)	1 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Hudson High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	14410 Cobra Way	Hudson	34669	Pasco County	Pasco	No	Yes	No	Yes	(727) 774-4200	1,449	70	20.6	56.3%	1,001 (69.1%)	79 (5.5%)	274 (18.9%)	11 (0.8%)	8 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	75 (5.2%)	33.9	492^nd of 807 public high schools	39.0%		31.4	487^th of 792 public high schools	38.5%	5	38.0	43.0	27.0	33.0	60.0	73.0	$8,318	$1,478	$6,840
Pace Center For Girls	Public	6-12	3630 W Educational Path	Lecanto	34461	Citrus County	Citrus	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 464-6520	23	3	7.6	73.9%	16 (69.6%)	3 (13.0%)	3 (13.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (4.3%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Central High School

What district is Central High School in?

Hernando

What schools feed into Central High School?

Central High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : John D. Floyd Elementary School

How many students attend Central High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,452 students attended Central High School.

What is the racial makeup of Central High School?

Students at Central High School are 49% White, 34% Hispanic, 10% African American, 6% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Is Central High School a good school?

Central High School ranks 496^th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.