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Central High School

Public Grades 9-12

9^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 800 Michigan High Schools

Better than 99% of Michigan high schools

Summary

Central High School in Grand Rapids, MI, is a large, high-achieving public high school serving 999 students in grades 9-12 as part of the top-ranked Forest Hills Public Schools district. It consistently ranks among the best schools in Michigan, coming in at #9 out of 800 high schools statewide for the 2025-2026 school year—a position it has held for a decade.

What truly sets Central apart is its exceptional strength in mathematics. On the SAT, 72.5% of 11th graders were proficient in math, a full 15 percentage points higher than nearby Northern High School and even surpassing the highly regarded East Grand Rapids High School (67.3%). This math focus makes Central a standout choice for families prioritizing STEM. The school also boasts a near-perfect 98.3% graduation rate and a dropout rate of just 0.4%, far better than the state average. While its reading scores are also elite (88.9% proficiency), Central’s edge over its district peers—Northern and Eastern High School—comes primarily from math and slightly better overall student outcomes.

For parents, a few nuances are worth noting. Central’s chronic absenteeism rate (11.7%) is higher than its immediate peers, though still well below the state average. Also, while the school performs excellently for most students, its support for special education students has shown significant year-to-year swings, suggesting that services may vary by cohort. Finally, Central sits in an affluent area (only 13.7% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch), which contrasts sharply with Ottawa Hills High School just 5 miles away—a school facing far greater challenges. For families in the Forest Hills district, Central is the flagship, but all three traditional high schools are top-50 in the state, offering multiple excellent options.

999

Students ?

18.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,729

Per pupil spending ?

13.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5901 Hall St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546-3849

(616) 493-8700

District: Forest Hills Public Schools

Feeder schools for Central High School:

Elementary:	Ada Elementary School
	Ada Vista Elementary School
	Pine Ridge Elementary School
	Thornapple Elementary School
Middle:	Central Middle School
	Central Woodlands 56 School

Racial breakdown:

White:

81.1%

Asian:

6.8%

Hispanic:

4.7%

See top rated Michigan high schools

Compare Central High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 98th percentile in 2016 → 99th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (77% vs 43% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Michigan high schools

✓98% graduate in 4 years — above the Michigan average (84%)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school77%

District avg74%

Michigan avg43%

9^th of 800

Michigan public high schools ?

Top 1%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Michigan High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 3High Schools in the Forest Hills Public Schools

11^th of 625Forest Hills Public Schools among Michigan 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	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	97.3	9 of 800	98.9%	★★★★★
2025	97.9	9 of 739	98.8%	★★★★★
2024	98.9	6 of 743	99.2%	★★★★★
2023	93.0	36 of 735	95.1%	★★★★★
2022	96.4	22 of 531	95.9%	★★★★★
2021	92.8	34 of 561	93.9%	★★★★★
2019	96.7	16 of 666	97.6%	★★★★★
2018	97.2	10 of 824	98.8%	★★★★★
2017	97.6	10 of 835	98.8%	★★★★★
2016	96.5	13 of 852	98.5%	★★★★★
2015	97.6	13 of 832	98.4%	★★★★★
2014	95.5	23 of 799	97.1%	★★★★★
2013	95.8	24 of 805	97.0%	★★★★★
2012	97.6	11 of 773	98.6%	★★★★★
2011	91.5	20 of 784	97.4%	★★★★★
2010	93.6	5 of 765	99.3%	★★★★★
2009	94.5	11 of 754	98.5%	★★★★★
2008	95.2	7 of 750	99.1%	★★★★★
2007	95.0	7 of 767	99.1%	★★★★★
2006	94.1	8 of 705	98.9%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	74.9	22 of 74	70.3%	★★★★☆
2025	88.2	7 of 69	89.9%	★★★★★
2024	85.3	9 of 70	87.1%	★★★★☆
2021	53.2	26 of 42	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	76.3	11 of 42	73.8%	★★★★☆
2018	83.3	13 of 87	85.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	96.2	11 of 686	98.4%	★★★★★
2025	97.8	9 of 629	98.6%	★★★★★
2024	98.4	5 of 619	99.2%	★★★★★
2023	93.1	24 of 611	96.1%	★★★★★
2022	94.8	18 of 416	95.7%	★★★★★
2021	89.4	35 of 462	92.4%	★★★★★
2019	93.0	28 of 554	94.9%	★★★★★
2018	96.7	9 of 710	98.7%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	91.4	14 of 259	94.6%	★★★★★
2025	87.5	25 of 203	87.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	93.2	17 of 719	97.6%	★★★★★
2025	95.9	17 of 635	97.3%	★★★★★
2024	99.0	8 of 654	98.8%	★★★★★
2023	76.4	102 of 614	83.4%	★★★★☆
2022	99.2	5 of 369	98.6%	★★★★★
2021	90.9	30 of 417	92.8%	★★★★★
2019	96.2	16 of 532	97.0%	★★★★★
2018	88.0	46 of 755	93.9%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	97.3	10 of 693	98.6%	★★★★★
2025	96.6	14 of 628	97.8%	★★★★★
2024	98.7	4 of 633	99.4%	★★★★★
2023	90.0	47 of 611	92.3%	★★★★★
2022	96.7	19 of 440	95.7%	★★★★★
2021	91.2	33 of 472	93.0%	★★★★★
2019	97.8	6 of 543	98.9%	★★★★★
2018	96.1	11 of 707	98.4%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	83.4	17 of 179	90.5%	★★★★★
2023	72.4	23 of 110	79.1%	★★★★☆
2018	93.1	5 of 93	94.6%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	69.4	44 of 220	80.0%	★★★★☆
2025	67.7	34 of 125	72.8%	★★★★☆
2024	99.9	1 of 130	99.2%	★★★★★
2023	93.8	4 of 116	96.6%	★★★★★
2019	89.0	5 of 61	91.8%	★★★★★
2018	91.3	9 of 315	97.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	96.3	13 of 671	98.1%	★★★★★
2025	97.4	10 of 639	98.4%	★★★★★
2024	98.7	6 of 638	99.1%	★★★★★
2023	89.7	51 of 647	92.1%	★★★★★
2022	95.6	18 of 492	96.3%	★★★★★
2021	91.6	38 of 516	92.6%	★★★★★
2019	96.3	17 of 582	97.1%	★★★★★
2018	96.1	15 of 708	97.9%	★★★★★

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)

Male (2026)99th percentile~ school

Female (2026)98th percentile~ school

White (2026)98th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)98th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)95th percentile-4 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)91st percentile-8 vs school

Special Education (2026)80th percentile-19 vs school

Asian (2026)70th percentile-29 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts89%+30 vs state

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing89%+37 vs state

Mathematics73%+40 vs state

Social Studies65%+22 vs state

Science64%+29 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Saturday, February 27, 2010

Amazing options for any students who need special attention or additional learning help. Unlike many others in the state due to sizeable pockets and funds for each student. 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)				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)		PSAT Mathematics (2026)		SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2026)	SAT Mathematics (2026)	M-Step Science (2026)	M-Step Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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 (2025)	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	PSAT English Language Arts 9th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 10th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 9th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 10th Grade	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central High School	Public	9-12	5901 Hall St SE	Grand Rapids	49546	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 493-8700	999	55	18.1	13.7%	810 (81.1%)	27 (2.7%)	47 (4.7%)	68 (6.8%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	45 (4.5%)	97.3	9^th of 800 public high schools	98.9%		97.9	9^th of 739 public high schools	98.8%		92.7	85.8	75.1	70.4	88.9	72.5	63.8	65.0	$16,729	$899	$15,830
Northern High School	Public	9-12	3801 Leonard St NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 493-8600	1,088	70	15.4	17.6%	769 (70.7%)	71 (6.5%)	92 (8.5%)	90 (8.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (6.0%)	96.9	11^th of 800 public high schools	98.6%		96	21^st of 739 public high schools	97.2%	10	88.8	83.8	67.1	62.5	87.4	57.3	63.2	75.3	$16,924	$709	$16,214
West Michigan Aviation Academy	Public, Charter	9-12	5363 44th St SE	Grand Rapids	49512	Kent County	West Michigan Aviation Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(616) 446-8886	600	36	16.8	19.2%	439 (73.2%)	59 (9.8%)	53 (8.8%)	24 (4.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.0%)	96.3	20^th of 800 public high schools	97.5%		92.9	43^rd of 739 public high schools	94.2%	23	87.3	88.6	62.0	71.5	78.9	55.9	59.9	73.0	$11,503	$300	$11,203
Forest Hills Transition Center	Public	12	640 Forest Hill Ave SE	Grand Rapids	49546	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 493-8685	8	2	3.7		4 (50.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (12.5%)	2 (25.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (12.5%)								(n/a)									$89,672	$28,687	$60,985
Eastern High School	Public	9-12	2200 Pettis Ave NE	Ada	49301	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 493-8830	768	43	17.7	13.9%	621 (80.9%)	16 (2.1%)	29 (3.8%)	65 (8.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (4.7%)	95.5	24^th of 800 public high schools	97.0%		96.1	20^th of 739 public high schools	97.3%	4	81.5	82.2	60.7	59.5	84.2	70.3	62.2	70.7	$17,351	$990	$16,361
East Grand Rapids High School	Public	9-12	2211 Lake Dr SE	Grand Rapids	49506	Kent County	East Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 235-7555	908	47	19.3	6.5%	735 (80.9%)	25 (2.8%)	64 (7.0%)	14 (1.5%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	67 (7.4%)	98.6	4^th of 800 public high schools	99.5%		99.1	5^th of 739 public high schools	99.3%	1	89.9	92.9	74.2	73.1	88.8	67.3	73.2	79.0	$15,211	$276	$14,936
Kent Career Technical Center	Public	9-12	1655 E Beltline Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 364-8421	0	80	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
MySchoolKent	Public	6-12	1655 E Beltline Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 365-2312	0	15	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Kent Education CenterBeltline	Public	9-12	1606 Leffingwell Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 410-4760	43	13	3.2	74.4%	19 (44.2%)	11 (25.6%)	4 (9.3%)	1 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (18.6%)								(n/a)
Ottawa Hills High School	Public	9-12	2055 Rosewood Ave SE	Grand Rapids	49506	Kent County	Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 819-2900	385	29	13.3	83.6%	29 (7.5%)	262 (68.1%)	69 (17.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (6.2%)	6.9	743^rd of 800 public high schools	7.1%		12.9	643^rd of 739 public high schools	13.0%	100	16.8	14.4	5.3	4.8	26.7	8.1	9.1	13.6	$26,239	$2,923	$23,316

Frequently Asked Questions about Central High School

How many students attend Central High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 999 students attended Central High School.

What is the racial makeup of Central High School?

Students at Central High School are 81% White, 7% Asian, 5% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 3% African American.

What schools feed into Central High School?

Central High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Ada Elementary School
Elementary : Ada Vista Elementary School
Elementary : Pine Ridge Elementary School
Elementary : Thornapple Elementary School
Middle : Central Middle School
Middle : Central Woodlands 56 School

Is Central High School a good school?

Yes! Central High School is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 9^th of 800 Michigan high schools.

What district is Central High School in?

Forest Hills Public Schools

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 2026

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