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Central High School

Summary:

Central High School is a public high school in Omaha, Nebraska, serving 2,738 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Omaha Public Schools district, which is ranked 205 out of 212 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Central High School has a diverse student population, with 29.47% White, 26.59% African American, 33.6% Hispanic, 3.91% Asian, 0.69% Native American, 0.22% Pacific Islander, and 5.51% two or more races. Academically, the school's performance on the ACT is generally higher than the Omaha Public Schools district average but lower than the state average. For example, in the 2022-2023 school year, 27.5% of 11th-grade students were proficient or better in ACT English Language Arts, compared to 13.83% for the district and 33.35% for the state. The school also has a relatively high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with 53.17% receiving free or reduced-price lunch in the 2021-2022 school year.

Central High School has seen a steady increase in spending per student, from $11,342 in the 2019-2020 school year to $16,146 in the 2022-2023 school year. The school ranks relatively well for White students and multi-racial students, but much lower for Hispanic and African American students. It also ranks highly for its performance with homeless students, but relatively low for its performance with special education students. Over the past few years, the school has seen a decline in overall enrollment and a shift in its racial demographics, with a decrease in the percentage of White students and an increase in the percentage of Hispanic students.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 124 N 20th St
       Omaha, NE  68102-4895

(531) 299-2660

District: Omaha Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
184th of 215 Nebraska High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,146 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  22.9 Help
Number of students:  2,738

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
33.6%
White:
29.5%
African American:
26.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  53.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Central High School ranks worse than 85.6% of high schools in Nebraska. It also ranks 2nd among 7 ranked high schools in the Omaha Public Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.35. (See more...)
Help
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.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Central High School has the largest high school student body size in the Omaha Public Schools District. Student population at Central High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (33.6%), White (29.5%), African American (26.6%). (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central High School is 22.9. 13 high schools in the Omaha Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Central High School employs 119.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central High School is $16,146, which is the 7th highest among 7 high schools in the Omaha Public Schools District.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Central High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Central High School 184th of 215 Nebraska public high schools. (See Central High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Omaha Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Omaha Public Schools 205th of 212 Nebraska school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Central High School.

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Rank History for Central High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 55.99 125th 249 49.8%
2007 51.75 138th 247 44.1%
2008 39.39 195th 252 22.6%
2009 44.10 166th 251 33.9%
2010 21.58 232nd 249 6.8%
2011 9.55 238th 252 5.6%
2012 25.87 210th 245 14.3%
2013 29.72 200th 247 19.0%
2014 6.98 233rd 247 5.7%
2015 20.57 213th 242 12.0%
2016 21.30 216th 246 12.2%
2017 28.65 156th 219 28.8%
2018 16.23 193rd 219 11.9%
2019 28.81 156th 217 28.1%
2021 19.70 179th 209 14.4%
2022 19.94 169th 202 16.3%
2023 18.35 184th 215 14.4%
See the entire list of Nebraska High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.35 13th 15 13.3%
2019 47.59 7th 15 53.3%
2021 16.27 13th 15 13.3%
2022 25.66 13th 16 18.8%
2023 57.59 5th 15 66.7%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 33.57 15th 26 42.3%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.74 8th 10 20.0%
2023 26.13 5th 5 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.72 72nd 79 8.9%
2019 23.54 65th 82 20.7%
2021 17.23 75th 83 9.6%
2022 16.07 66th 74 10.8%
2023 14.78 81st 89 9.0%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Homeless students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 13.06 3rd 3 0.0%
2022 30.60 2nd 2 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for Female students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.83 123rd 144 14.6%
2019 32.65 100th 142 29.6%
2021 17.67 116th 138 15.9%
2022 26.27 97th 132 26.5%
2023 19.82 114th 136 16.2%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.46 114th 138 17.4%
2019 24.86 106th 140 24.3%
2021 22.06 106th 130 18.5%
2022 13.91 122nd 135 9.6%
2023 17.95 114th 135 15.6%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.95 9th 12 25.0%
2019 44.61 10th 16 37.5%
2022 22.96 10th 12 16.7%
2023 19.97 9th 13 30.8%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.32 6th 13 53.8%
2019 45.62 8th 14 42.9%
2021 29.46 7th 10 30.0%
2022 32.86 8th 12 33.3%
2023 19.87 12th 15 20.0%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.83 39th 41 4.9%
2019 36.22 24th 43 44.2%
2021 32.21 25th 38 34.2%
2022 16.41 35th 41 14.6%
2023 22.16 35th 41 14.6%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Central High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NE State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.80 71st 205 65.4%
2019 76.69 39th 207 81.2%
2021 61.30 70th 200 65.0%
2022 70.22 49th 196 75.0%
2023 65.30 68th 206 67.0%
See the entire list of Best Nebraska High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Nebraska Department of Education, 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.

Central High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Nebraska Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, May 20, 2019

Open Quote Avoid Central until they get better leadership. The Principal is not an ethical leader and puts his finger up in the air to see the direction of the wind that day to judge on leading. The school can not and will not thrive under poor leadership direction. Central and OPS certainly advertise the school's diversity but they do not actually promote inclusion. I would never send my children to this school again if I knew then what I know now. There maybe other decent schools inside the district. I would not recommend Central. Try North or South. Close Quote


by a student
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Open Quote no better school in all of nebraska! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Central High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1282 491 30 45 13 n/a n/a 0 1861
1989 1299 511 43 48 12 n/a n/a 0 1913
1990 1251 458 42 50 12 n/a n/a 0 1813
1991 1232 369 41 58 15 n/a n/a 0 1715
1992 1329 350 39 62 20 n/a n/a 0 1800
1993 1336 301 31 70 24 n/a n/a 0 1762
1994 1357 333 28 77 26 n/a n/a 0 1821
1995 1261 304 27 107 18 n/a n/a 0 1717
1996 1261 304 27 107 18 n/a n/a 0 1717
1997 1383 370 28 130 23 n/a n/a 0 1934
1998 1344 454 37 178 27 n/a n/a 0 2040
1999 1414 536 35 86 27 n/a n/a 119 2217
2000 1406 638 36 238 38 n/a n/a 0 2356
2001 1379 673 40 249 30 n/a n/a 0 2371
2002 1326 841 37 301 28 n/a n/a 0 2533
2003 1326 841 37 301 28 n/a n/a 0 2533
2004 1284 802 37 297 28 n/a n/a 0 2448
2005 1236 892 31 318 39 n/a n/a 0 2516
2006 1194 943 34 340 46 n/a n/a 0 2557
2007 1216 888 39 360 76 n/a n/a 0 2579
2008 1145 939 42 361 62 n/a n/a 0 2549
2009 1097 1019 50 374 52 n/a n/a 0 2592
2010 1078 965 54 345 39 n/a n/a 0 2481
2011 965 817 57 426 42 3 238 0 2548
2012 964 796 62 471 33 3 242 0 2571
2013 1030 758 85 516 25 1 236 0 2651
2014 1027 686 100 551 25 3 209 0 2601
2015 997 633 126 573 27 2 186 0 2544
2016 1014 624 104 600 37 3 170 0 2552
2017 1019 662 97 635 39 1 159 0 2612
2018 994 733 95 690 30 3 145 0 2690
2019 1012 748 86 777 29 5 142 0 2799
2020 983 742 95 824 30 3 153 0 2830
2021 939 767 101 802 32 2 145 0 2788
2022 870 770 98 889 24 3 158 0 2812
2023 807 728 107 920 19 6 151 0 2738

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

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1861 100.1 18.5 38.3
1989 1913 104.6 18.2 33.2
1990 1813 103.6 17.5 32.8
1991 1715 106.9 16.0 34
1992 1800 107.1 16.8 34.9
1993 1762 105.8 16.7 36
1994 1821 105.1 17.3 33.9
1995 1717 105.8 16.2 22
1996 1717 105.8 16.2 22
1997 1934 113.0 17.1 24.7
1998 2040 108.5 18.8 29
1999 2217 117.5 18.9 39.5
2000 2356 119.3 19.7 35
2001 2371 132.1 17.9 38.2
2002 2533 133.8 18.9 39.8
2003 2533 133.8 18.9 39.8
2004 2448 137.5 17.8 41.6
2005 2516 133.5 18.8 38
2006 2557 132.4 19.3 42.4
2007 2579 141.6 18.2 47.4
2008 2549 142.3 17.9 51
2009 2592 146.8 17.7 52.1
2010 2481 145.5 17.0 56.3
2011 2548 146.9 17.3 56.6
2012 2571 140.6 18.2 58.6
2013 2651 135.1 19.6 58.8
2014 2601 137.3 18.9 57.7
2015 2544 143.0 17.7 56.4
2016 2552 147.0 17.3 54.2
2017 2612 146.8 17.7 50.8
2018 2690 146.8 18.3 59.2
2019 2799 150.7 18.5 54.6
2020 2830 143.5 19.7 56.4
2021 2788 132.5 21.0 62.2
2022 2812 137.5 20.4 53.2
2023 2738 119.5 22.9 n/a

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

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1861 100.1 18.5 38.3
1989 1913 104.6 18.2 33.2
1990 1813 103.6 17.5 32.8
1991 1715 106.9 16.0 34
1992 1800 107.1 16.8 34.9
1993 1762 105.8 16.7 36
1994 1821 105.1 17.3 33.9
1995 1717 105.8 16.2 22
1996 1717 105.8 16.2 22
1997 1934 113.0 17.1 24.7
1998 2040 108.5 18.8 29
1999 2217 117.5 18.9 39.5
2000 2356 119.3 19.7 35
2001 2371 132.1 17.9 38.2
2002 2533 133.8 18.9 39.8
2003 2533 133.8 18.9 39.8
2004 2448 137.5 17.8 41.6
2005 2516 133.5 18.8 38
2006 2557 132.4 19.3 42.4
2007 2579 141.6 18.2 47.4
2008 2549 142.3 17.9 51
2009 2592 146.8 17.7 52.1
2010 2481 145.5 17.0 56.3
2011 2548 146.9 17.3 56.6
2012 2571 140.6 18.2 58.6
2013 2651 135.1 19.6 58.8
2014 2601 137.3 18.9 57.7
2015 2544 143.0 17.7 56.4
2016 2552 147.0 17.3 54.2
2017 2612 146.8 17.7 50.8
2018 2690 146.8 18.3 59.2
2019 2799 150.7 18.5 54.6
2020 2830 143.5 19.7 56.4
2021 2788 132.5 21.0 62.2
2022 2812 137.5 20.4 53.2
2023 2738 119.5 22.9 n/a

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

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $517 (4.6%) $10,232 (92.0%) $11,123
2020 $585 (5.2%) $10,435 (92.0%) $11,342
2021 $781 (6.1%) $11,700 (91.7%) $12,763
2022 $852 (6.1%) $11,643 (82.7%) $14,072
2023 $2,208 (13.7%) $12,318 (76.3%) $16,146

Data source: Nebraska 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 156th of 217 High schoolsRanks 184th of 215 High schools
 13.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
11th Grade English Language Arts (Central High School)35.127.5
 7.6%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Omaha Public Schools)1913.8
 5.1%
   11th Grade English Language Arts (Nebraska)37.433.4
 4.1%
11th Grade Mathematics (Central High School)25.314.6
 10.7%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Omaha Public Schools)127
 5%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Nebraska)30.926.2
 4.6%
11th Grade Science (Central High School)22.417.1
 5.4%
   11th Grade Science (Omaha Public Schools)10.88.5
 2.3%
   11th Grade Science (Nebraska)26.425.3
 1.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students27992738
 2.2%
African American748728
 2.7%
American Indian2919
 34.5%
Asian86107
 24.4%
Hispanic777920
 18.4%
Pacific Islander56
 20%
White1012807
 20.3%
Two or More Races142151
 6.3%

Schools Near Central High School








Frequently Asked Questions about Central High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 2,738 students attended Central High School.

Central High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Belle Ryan Elementary School
Elementary : Conestoga Magnet Elementary School
Elementary : Dundee Elementary School
Elementary : Field Club Elementary School
Elementary : Franklin Elementary School
Elementary : Jackson Elementary School
Elementary : Kellom Elementary School
Elementary : Liberty Elementary School
Elementary : Washington Elementary School
Middle : Lewis & Clark Middle School

Students at Central High School are 34% Hispanic, 29% White, 27% African American, 6% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

Central High School ranks in the bottom 14.4% of Nebraska high schools.


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




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