Summary:
Zip code 36870 is home to a single public high school, Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama, which serves grades 9-12 with a substantial enrollment of 1,579 students.
For parents exploring this area, Central High School is the only option, and it presents a mixed picture. The school earns a consistent 3-star rating from the state, though its ranking has slipped from the 67th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 56th percentile in 2025-2026. Academically, proficiency rates in math (24%), science (31.29%), and English (30.43%) all trail state averages by roughly 3 to 5 percentage points. However, there is encouraging momentum: math scores jumped by 4.22 points and English by 3.12 points year-over-year, suggesting recent improvements are taking hold. The graduation rate is a bright spot at 93.8%, exceeding the state average of 91.5%, which indicates the school successfully supports students through to completion despite test score gaps. The school serves a majority low-income population, with 56.36% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and per-student spending is $12,035 with a student-teacher ratio of 18.5:1.
The most pressing concern for parents is chronic absenteeism, which stands at 22.4%—nearly double the state average of 12.0% and well above the district's 15.1%. This high rate of missing instructional time likely contributes to the academic struggles and is the most actionable area for improvement. Notably, the school's test scores and graduation rate exactly match the Phenix City district figures, confirming this school drives all district-level metrics. Overall, Central High School offers a solid graduation outcome and positive academic momentum, but families should be aware of the attendance challenges and below-average proficiency rates when considering this school.
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