Chatham Central High

Summary:

Chatham Central High is a public high school in Bear Creek, North Carolina, serving 364 students in grades 9-12. It is part of the Chatham County Schools district, which is ranked 67 out of 242 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Chatham Central High has a significantly higher percentage of white students (69.23%) compared to the surrounding schools, which have more diverse student populations. Academically, the school's performance on end-of-course (EOC) tests is generally lower than the district and state averages, with proficiency rates below 60% in Biology, English II, and Math I. The school's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 121 out of 531 North Carolina high schools in 2014-2015 to 324 out of 640 in 2023-2024, placing it in the bottom half of the state. While the school performs relatively well for Hispanic students, it struggles with African American and disabled student subgroups. Additionally, Chatham Central High has seen a significant increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, from 25.78% in 2021-2022 to 47.8% in 2022-2023.

Interestingly, the nearby Northwood High consistently outperforms Chatham Central High on EOC test scores and has a higher statewide ranking. Another standout school in the area is Chatham Early College, which ranked 1st out of 640 North Carolina high schools in 2023-2024 with 100% proficiency rates in several subjects. The contrast between these high-performing schools and Chatham Central High's declining performance suggests that there is potential for improvement within the Chatham County Schools district.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 14950 NC Hwy 902 W
       Bear Creek, NC  27207


(919) 837-2251

District: Chatham County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
324th of 640 North Carolina High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,606 Help


Feeder schools for Chatham Central High:

Elementary:    Bennett School
    Bonlee School
    J S Waters School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.8 Help
Number of students:  364

Racial breakdown:

White:
69.2%
Hispanic:
19.5%
African American:
7.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  47.8% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Chatham Central High ranks worse than 50.6% of high schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 3rd among 4 ranked high schools in the Chatham County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 45.87. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (69.2%), Hispanic (19.5%), African American (7.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 47.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Chatham Central High is 12.8, which is the 2nd best among 4 high schools in the Chatham County Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Chatham Central High employs 28.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Chatham Central High is $12,606, which is the 2nd highest among 4 high schools in the Chatham County Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Chatham Central High:

SchoolDigger ranks Chatham Central High 324th of 640 North Carolina public high schools. (See Chatham Central High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Chatham County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Chatham County Schools 67th of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Chatham Central High?

Rank History for Chatham Central High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Chatham Central High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 71.29 58th 431 86.5%
2007 65.41 102nd 453 77.5%
2008 60.37 145th 477 69.6%
2009 58.17 192nd 490 60.8%
2010 63.99 145th 499 70.9%
2011 60.06 185th 506 63.4%
2012 59.19 155th 502 69.1%
2013 43.33 203rd 505 59.8%
2014 57.67 124th 451 72.5%
2015 59.55 121st 531 77.2%
2016 40.45 229th 507 54.8%
2017 45.37 214th 476 55.0%
2018 42.19 257th 469 45.2%
2019 50.31 205th 514 60.1%
2021 43.09 321st 594 46.0%
2022 43.33 330th 621 46.9%
2023 44.86 325th 626 48.1%
2024 45.87 324th 640 49.4%
See the entire list of North Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Chatham Central High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 46.72 108th 262 58.8%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Chatham Central High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.46 264th 424 37.7%
2019 40.28 213th 446 52.2%
2021 37.61 210th 432 51.4%
2022 37.96 309th 544 43.2%
2023 41.22 309th 597 48.2%
2024 44.24 292nd 613 52.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Chatham Central High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.31 260th 449 42.1%
2019 53.60 181st 475 61.9%
2021 46.01 210th 475 55.8%
2022 47.59 301st 594 49.3%
2023 47.95 305th 588 48.1%
2024 60.88 219th 602 63.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Chatham Central High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 10.89 361st 364 0.8%
2021 29.22 245th 334 26.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Chatham Central High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.85 64th 100 36.0%
2019 51.19 183rd 325 43.7%
2021 76.69 34th 337 89.9%
2022 34.18 325th 398 18.3%
2023 49.63 251st 403 37.7%
2024 63.22 164th 403 59.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Chatham Central High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.33 280th 463 39.5%
2019 42.21 251st 488 48.6%
2021 40.17 234th 481 51.4%
2022 38.16 345th 585 41.0%
2023 41.85 328th 602 45.5%
2024 33.23 404th 607 33.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Chatham Central High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.22 185th 359 48.5%
2022 37.74 234th 430 45.6%
2023 29.33 310th 434 28.6%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Chatham Central High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.04 194th 340 42.9%
2019 40.03 177th 354 50.0%
2022 35.45 269th 436 38.3%
2023 47.70 203rd 449 54.8%
2024 44.21 225th 454 50.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Chatham Central High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.13 341st 427 20.1%
2019 38.35 259th 444 41.7%
2021 29.32 293rd 439 33.3%
2022 39.00 323rd 534 39.5%
2023 35.45 367th 537 31.7%
2024 35.42 375th 553 32.2%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Chatham Central High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for Chatham Central High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 315 97 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 413
1989 306 87 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 393
1990 287 79 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 369
1991 274 81 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 357
1992 273 77 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 352
1993 283 77 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 364
1994 301 72 1 5 0 n/a n/a 0 379
1995 320 65 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 389
1996 320 65 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 389
1997 313 70 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 385
1998 327 69 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 398
1999 315 79 0 6 0 n/a n/a 0 400
2000 316 82 5 9 0 n/a n/a 0 412
2001 322 64 5 13 1 n/a n/a 0 405
2002 322 74 7 15 2 n/a n/a 0 420
2003 322 74 7 15 2 n/a n/a 0 420
2004 360 82 4 12 0 n/a n/a 0 458
2005 387 84 6 13 0 n/a n/a 0 490
2006 392 78 6 16 0 n/a n/a 0 492
2007 401 65 3 17 2 n/a n/a 5 493
2008 354 53 3 22 1 n/a n/a 8 441
2009 379 62 4 28 2 n/a n/a 0 475
2010 379 70 4 31 1 n/a n/a 0 485
2011 363 53 2 31 2 0 6 0 457
2012 368 49 2 24 0 0 4 0 447
2013 332 42 3 33 2 0 7 0 419
2014 322 38 2 26 0 0 7 0 395
2015 310 44 3 36 0 0 11 0 404
2016 289 47 2 38 0 0 10 0 386
2017 306 48 2 36 0 0 9 0 401
2018 311 44 2 47 0 0 10 0 414
2019 311 43 1 48 2 0 10 0 415
2020 319 34 1 47 1 0 10 0 412
2021 330 32 1 45 0 0 9 0 417
2022 311 42 2 74 0 2 15 0 446
2023 252 28 3 71 0 1 9 0 364

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 Chatham Central High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 413 29.0 14.2 8.5
1989 393 29.0 13.5 17
1990 369 29.0 12.7 12.2
1991 357 29.0 12.3 12.6
1992 352 29.0 12.1 5.4
1993 364 24.0 15.2 7.7
1994 379 25.0 15.2 9.8
1995 389 26.0 15.0 6.7
1996 389 26.0 15.0 6.7
1997 385 26.0 14.8 6
1998 398 29.0 13.7 4
1999 400 29.0 13.8 10.5
2000 412 29.0 14.2 11.4
2001 405 29.0 14.0 10.1
2002 420 29.0 14.5 0
2003 420 29.0 14.5 0
2004 458 29.0 15.8 17.5
2005 490 29.0 16.9 18.2
2006 492 29.0 17.0 22.6
2007 493 32.3 15.3 23.4
2008 441 31.5 14.0 23.3
2009 475 31.4 15.1 25.9
2010 485 31.5 15.3 31.8
2011 457 32.0 14.2 29.1
2012 447 31.8 14.0 32
2013 419 30.8 13.5 36.5
2014 395 29.7 13.2 33.9
2015 404 29.0 13.9 35.6
2016 386 29.0 13.3 37
2017 401 29.0 13.8 42.6
2018 414 29.2 14.1 40.8
2019 415 28.7 14.4 37.6
2020 412 29.7 13.8 37.4
2021 417 29.7 14.0 27.8
2022 446 30.0 14.8 25.8
2023 364 28.3 12.8 47.8

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 Chatham Central High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 413 29.0 14.2 8.5
1989 393 29.0 13.5 17
1990 369 29.0 12.7 12.2
1991 357 29.0 12.3 12.6
1992 352 29.0 12.1 5.4
1993 364 24.0 15.2 7.7
1994 379 25.0 15.2 9.8
1995 389 26.0 15.0 6.7
1996 389 26.0 15.0 6.7
1997 385 26.0 14.8 6
1998 398 29.0 13.7 4
1999 400 29.0 13.8 10.5
2000 412 29.0 14.2 11.4
2001 405 29.0 14.0 10.1
2002 420 29.0 14.5 0
2003 420 29.0 14.5 0
2004 458 29.0 15.8 17.5
2005 490 29.0 16.9 18.2
2006 492 29.0 17.0 22.6
2007 493 32.3 15.3 23.4
2008 441 31.5 14.0 23.3
2009 475 31.4 15.1 25.9
2010 485 31.5 15.3 31.8
2011 457 32.0 14.2 29.1
2012 447 31.8 14.0 32
2013 419 30.8 13.5 36.5
2014 395 29.7 13.2 33.9
2015 404 29.0 13.9 35.6
2016 386 29.0 13.3 37
2017 401 29.0 13.8 42.6
2018 414 29.2 14.1 40.8
2019 415 28.7 14.4 37.6
2020 412 29.7 13.8 37.4
2021 417 29.7 14.0 27.8
2022 446 30.0 14.8 25.8
2023 364 28.3 12.8 47.8

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 Chatham Central High

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $549 (4.4%) $12,058 (95.7%) $12,606

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Chatham Central High

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 205th of 514 High schoolsRanks 325th of 626 High schools
 12%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Biology (Chatham Central High)51.241.7
 9.5%
   End of Course Biology (Chatham County Schools)58.555.6
 2.9%
   End of Course Biology (North Carolina)59.654.1
 5.5%
End of Course English II (Chatham Central High)59.252.4
 6.8%
   End of Course English II (Chatham County Schools)62.758.3
 4.4%
   End of Course English II (North Carolina)59.758.5
 1.2%
End of Course Math I (Chatham Central High)46.942.3
 4.6%
   End of Course Math I (Chatham County Schools)33.538.5
 5%
   End of Course Math I (North Carolina)41.235.9
 5.3%
End of Course Math III (Chatham Central High)56.671.3
 14.7%
   End of Course Math III (Chatham County Schools)52.456.6
 4.2%
   End of Course Math III (North Carolina)46.858.3
 11.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students415364
 12.3%
African American4328
 34.9%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian13
 200%
Hispanic4871
 47.9%
Pacific Islander01
White311252
 19%
Two or More Races109
 10%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients37.6%47.8%
 10.2%


Schools Near Chatham Central High









Frequently Asked Questions about Chatham Central High

In the 2022-23 school year, 364 students attended Chatham Central High.

Chatham Central High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Bennett School
Elementary : Bonlee School
Elementary : J S Waters School

Chatham Central High ranks 324th of 640 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Chatham Central High are 69% White, 20% Hispanic, 8% African American, 2% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

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.





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