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Central High School

Q: Is Central High School a good school?

Central High School ranks 104 th of 325 Louisiana high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

104^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 325 Louisiana High Schools

Better than 68% of Louisiana high schools

Summary

Central High School is a large public high school serving 1,529 students in grades 9-12 in Baton Rouge, LA, and is part of the high-performing Central Community School District, which ranks in the top 13% of districts statewide. This school stands out as a strong academic performer in an area where many nearby schools struggle, consistently earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past decade. For example, while Tara High School, Broadmoor Senior High School, and Belaire High School rank in the bottom 10% of the state, Central consistently ranks in the top 30%, with Algebra I proficiency rates (73%) more than double those of its neighbors.

Central boasts an exceptional graduation rate of around 93%, well above the state average of 85%, and a very low dropout rate of just 0.2%. This is a stark contrast to nearby schools like Glen Oaks Senior High School, which has a graduation rate of 67.5% and a dropout rate of 7.3%. The school also shows remarkable success with specific student groups, including Multi-racial students who rank in the 96th percentile statewide and English Language Learners who jumped from the 7th to the 89th percentile in a single year, suggesting effective new programs. However, the school's state ranking has been gradually declining over the past five years, from 47th to 104th, indicating that while test scores remain high, other schools across Louisiana are improving at a faster pace.

One area for improvement is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 19.7%—higher than the district average of 14.2% and above high-performing peers like Live Oak High School (14.5%) and Denham Springs High School (13.0%) in the Livingston Parish district. Interestingly, Central has a lower percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (50.88%) compared to Live Oak (60.27%) and Denham Springs (69.56%), yet those schools achieve even higher rankings. This suggests that while Central is a solid choice, families should also consider how its performance trends and attendance challenges compare to other top schools in the region.

1,529

Students ?

15.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,820

Per pupil spending ?

50.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

10200 E Brookside
Baton Rouge, LA 70805

(225) 261-3438

District: Central Community School District

Feeder schools for Central High School:

Elementary:	Bellingrath Hills Elementary School
	Central Intermediate School
	Tanglewood Elementary School
Middle:	Central Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.8%

African American:

24.3%

Hispanic:

8.5%

See top rated Louisiana high schools

Compare Central High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 75th percentile in 2016 → 68th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Louisiana average (68% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓94% graduate in 4 years — above the Louisiana average (83%)

✓Above the Louisiana median (68th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 7 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school68%

District avg71%

Louisiana avg62%

104^th of 325

Louisiana public high schools ?

Top 32%▼ down 7 pts since 2016

From top 25% (2016) to top 32% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Louisiana High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

13^th of 116Central Community School District among Louisiana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	66.6	104 of 325	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	67.1	97 of 329	70.5%	★★★★☆
2024	69.5	90 of 333	73.0%	★★★★☆
2023	72.0	72 of 321	77.6%	★★★★☆
2022	72.9	70 of 326	78.5%	★★★★☆
2021	78.0	47 of 322	85.4%	★★★★☆
2019	78.4	45 of 313	85.6%	★★★★☆
2018	72.6	53 of 302	82.5%	★★★★☆
2017	70.1	90 of 297	69.7%	★★★★☆
2016	70.9	73 of 297	75.4%	★★★★☆
2015	71.0	62 of 312	80.1%	★★★★☆
2014	77.7	26 of 309	91.6%	★★★★★
2013	71.2	64 of 312	79.5%	★★★★☆
2012	78.1	40 of 310	87.1%	★★★★☆
2011	77.8	44 of 300	85.3%	★★★★☆
2010	79.0	34 of 297	88.6%	★★★★☆
2009	76.2	40 of 301	86.7%	★★★★☆
2008	80.8	25 of 291	91.4%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	59.8	91 of 260	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	64.0	64 of 256	75.0%	★★★★☆
2024	62.0	73 of 260	71.9%	★★★★☆
2023	65.2	62 of 252	75.4%	★★★★☆
2022	67.8	53 of 256	79.3%	★★★★☆
2021	74.4	29 of 243	88.1%	★★★★☆
2019	79.1	24 of 233	89.7%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	81.6	6 of 57	89.5%	★★★★★
2025	16.0	55 of 59	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	30.1	36 of 50	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	90.5	4 of 40	90.0%	★★★★★
2021	52.6	15 of 38	60.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	73.0	79 of 313	74.8%	★★★★☆
2025	70.7	86 of 308	72.1%	★★★★☆
2024	79.2	51 of 308	83.4%	★★★★☆
2023	74.4	59 of 308	80.8%	★★★★☆
2022	74.1	65 of 311	79.1%	★★★★☆
2021	77.6	45 of 288	84.4%	★★★★☆
2019	79.2	42 of 292	85.6%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	48.1	61 of 125	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	42.1	75 of 120	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.5	66 of 113	41.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	57.0	42 of 107	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.2	47 of 103	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.0	42 of 92	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	46.7	45 of 78	42.3%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	61.0	121 of 321	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	64.7	87 of 323	73.1%	★★★★☆
2024	62.1	105 of 328	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.5	80 of 321	75.1%	★★★★☆
2022	70.0	68 of 322	78.9%	★★★★☆
2021	73.4	56 of 285	80.4%	★★★★☆
2019	76.5	53 of 301	82.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	57.9	130 of 311	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	65.8	94 of 313	70.0%	★★★★☆
2024	63.7	108 of 315	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	70.7	69 of 306	77.5%	★★★★☆
2022	71.2	75 of 301	75.1%	★★★★☆
2021	77.0	52 of 292	82.2%	★★★★☆
2019	74.9	67 of 291	77.0%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	89.3	3 of 67	95.5%	★★★★★
2021	56.2	17 of 39	56.4%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	37.9	97 of 168	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	50.5	73 of 170	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.0	50 of 165	69.7%	★★★★☆
2023	59.0	43 of 138	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	68.7	32 of 139	77.0%	★★★★☆
2021	65.4	33 of 135	75.6%	★★★★☆
2019	72.3	25 of 122	79.5%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Louisiana percentile	Rating
2026	58.1	105 of 244	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.2	87 of 245	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	68.3	71 of 248	71.4%	★★★★☆
2023	72.1	57 of 249	77.1%	★★★★☆
2022	68.3	60 of 250	76.0%	★★★★☆
2021	74.2	40 of 245	83.7%	★★★★☆
2019	70.3	59 of 249	76.3%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Multi-racial (2026)96th percentile+28 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)89th percentile+21 vs school

Female (2026)75th percentile+7 vs school

African American (2026)65th percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)62nd percentile-6 vs school

Male (2026)58th percentile-10 vs school

White (2026)57th percentile-11 vs school

Hispanic (2026)51st percentile-17 vs school

Special Education (2026)42nd percentile-26 vs school

By subject vs Louisiana (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I73%+8 vs state

English II71%+4 vs state

Biology71%+11 vs state

Geometry70%+13 vs state

U.S. History63%+8 vs state

English I60%-6 vs state

4.0

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What people are saying

by a student on FaceBook
Saturday, June 8, 2013

I attended this school starting in the first grade through graduation in 1958. I had
some great teachers, especially in English, Math, Science, Typing and Social Studies.
The principal, Mr. J.A. Smith, was a firm but friendly person, and all of the
staff at the school were exemplary people in their respective roles.

At this late point in my life, I look back at my years at Central High School
with admiration for all of the staff, and I am thankful that I was able to
attend such a wonderful school where both teachers and staff were dedicated
to the success of all of their students.

James E. Abbott
Graduation class of 1958 Close Quote

Schools Near Central High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				LEAP Mathematics (2026)			LEAP English Language Arts (2026)				LEAP Algebra I (2026)	LEAP Geometry (2026)	LEAP English II (2026)	LEAP U.S. History (2026)	LEAP English I (2026)	LEAP Biology (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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 (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	LEAP Mathematics 6th Grade	LEAP Mathematics 8th Grade	LEAP Mathematics All Grades	LEAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	LEAP English Language Arts All Grades	LEAP Algebra I End of Course	LEAP Geometry End of Course	LEAP English II End of Course	LEAP U.S. History End of Course	LEAP English I End of Course	LEAP Biology End of Course	Total
Central High School	Public	9-12	10200 E Brookside	Baton Rouge	70805	East Baton Rouge Parish	Central Community School District	No	No	No	Yes	(225) 261-3438	1,529	101	15.0	50.9%	975 (63.8%)	371 (24.3%)	130 (8.5%)	14 (0.9%)	2 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (2.4%)	66.6	104^th of 325 public high schools	68.0%		67.1	97^th of 329 public high schools	70.5%	7								73.0	70.0	71.0	63.0	60.0	71.0	$12,820
Live Oak High School	Public	9-12	35086 Old La Hwy 16	Watson	70786	Livingston Parish	Livingston Parish	No	No	No	No	(225) 665-8858	1,392	75	18.6	60.3%	1,124 (80.7%)	131 (9.4%)	96 (6.9%)	13 (0.9%)	4 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	22 (1.6%)	79.1	49^th of 325 public high schools	84.9%		85.1	26^th of 329 public high schools	92.1%	23								63.0	80.0	82.0	76.0	81.0	76.0	$11,009
Denham Springs High School	Public	9-12	1000 North Range Avenue	Denham Springs	70726	Livingston Parish	Livingston Parish	No	No	No	No	(225) 665-8851	2,385	133	17.9	69.6%	1,373 (57.6%)	446 (18.7%)	496 (20.8%)	25 (1.0%)	2 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (1.8%)	76.5	60^th of 325 public high schools	81.5%		70.1	78^th of 329 public high schools	76.3%	18								77.0	70.0	76.0	69.0	78.0	72.0	$11,801
Belaire High School	Public	9-12	12121 Tams Drive	Baton Rouge	70815	East Baton Rouge Parish	East Baton Rouge Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(225) 272-1860	694	54	12.8	71.6%	13 (1.9%)	471 (67.9%)	198 (28.5%)	5 (0.7%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.4%)	4.2	314^th of 325 public high schools	3.4%		4	314^th of 329 public high schools	4.6%									25.0		23.0	27.0	21.0	21.0	$19,899
GEO Next Generation High School	Public, Charter	9-12	2311 Sherwood Forest Dr	Baton Rouge	70815	East Baton Rouge Parish	GEO Next Generation High School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(225) 314-2044	478	20	24.1	71.8%	2 (0.4%)	409 (85.6%)	58 (12.1%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.6%)	33.3	218^th of 325 public high schools	32.9%		37.8	207^th of 329 public high schools	37.1%	11								56.0	44.0	63.0	28.0	68.0	40.0	$17,470
Glen Oaks Senior High School	Public	6-12	6650 Cedar Grove Dr	Baton Rouge	70812	East Baton Rouge Parish	East Baton Rouge Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(225) 356-4306	575	64	9.0	87.5%	2 (0.3%)	546 (95.0%)	22 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.5%)	6.3	307^th of 325 public high schools	5.5%		4.2	311^th of 329 public high schools	5.5%	4	33.0	14.0	25.0	34.0	41.0	33.0	36.0	25.0	34.0	30.0		24.0		$22,927
Broadmoor Senior High School	Public	9-12	10100 Goodwood Blvd.	Baton Rouge	70815	East Baton Rouge Parish	East Baton Rouge Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(225) 926-1420	791	50	15.6	66.2%	33 (4.2%)	497 (62.8%)	216 (27.3%)	35 (4.4%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	5 (0.6%)	9.4	292^nd of 325 public high schools	10.2%		5.7	307^th of 329 public high schools	6.7%	15								29.0	34.0	42.0	25.0	22.0	36.0	$17,142
Arlington Preparatory Academy	Public	6-12	6125 Winbourne Avenue	Baton Rouge	70805	East Baton Rouge Parish	East Baton Rouge Parish	No	No	No	Yes	(225) 766-8188	94	23	4.1	59.6%	4 (4.3%)	81 (86.2%)	7 (7.4%)	2 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)											7.0			$50,703
Collegiate Baton Rouge	Public, Charter	9-12	282 Lobdell Blvd	Baton Rouge	70806	East Baton Rouge Parish	Collegiate Baton Rouge	Yes	No	No	Yes	(225) 892-6962	530	45	11.7	96.8%	10 (1.9%)	487 (91.9%)	24 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.3%)	38.8	205^th of 325 public high schools	36.9%		17	271^st of 329 public high schools	17.6%	66								62.0	37.0	56.0	56.0	65.0	43.0	$18,222
Livingston Parish Literacy & Technology Center	Public	6-12	9261 Florida Blvd.	Walker	70785	Livingston Parish	Livingston Parish	No	No	No	No	(225) 667-5268	0	12	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Central High School

What district is Central High School in?

Central Community School District

What schools feed into Central High School?

Central High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Bellingrath Hills Elementary School
Elementary : Central Intermediate School
Elementary : Tanglewood Elementary School
Middle : Central Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Central High School?

Students at Central High School are 64% White, 24% African American, 9% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

How many students attend Central High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,529 students attended Central High School.

Is Central High School a good school?

Central High School ranks 104^th of 325 Louisiana high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Central High School!

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Latest Louisiana data All new data »

2025–26 LEAP test scoresJul 6, 2026

2023–24 dropout ratesFeb 24, 2026

2023–24 school spending dataDec 1, 2025

2023–24 through 2024–25 graduation ratesNov 22, 2025

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