- Enrollment
- 2,850
- Students per teacher
- 19.5:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Phoenix, AZ
Central High School
Federal NCES profile for Central High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 53/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 040633000542
👥 S:T ratio 40
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 50
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central High School earns 53/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Arizona median. It is also one of the largest schools in Arizona.
- #9 of 65
- high schools in Phoenix · Resource Index
- 53
- Resource Index · Higher
- 15.1:1
- students per teacher
- 88.0%
- free-lunch eligible
Central High School has class sizes near the Arizona median. Computed live against every Arizona school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central High School ranks #9 of 65 high schools in Phoenix, AZ.
School address
District: Phoenix Union High School District (4286) · Arizona
NCES ID 040633000542 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-143 students YoY
Central High School shrank from 1,901 students in 2022-23 to 1,758 in 2023-24 (-7.5%).
Teacher FTE lost 115.5 → 112.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-143 students YoY 040633000542 · Phoenix, AZ High · MID · TRAD
1,733 enr · 15.1:1 · 88.0% lunch · RII 53
Nearest enrollment peer: Trevor Browne High School (2,850 students)
Central High School shrank from 1,901 students in 2022-23 to 1,758 in 2023-24 (-7.5%). Teacher FTE lost 115.5 → 112.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Arizona schools → · Find another →
Central High School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Trevor Browne
Trevor Browne High School
2,850 students
- Cesar Chavez H
Cesar Chavez High School
2,598 students
- Maryvale High
Maryvale High School
2,532 students
- South Mountain
South Mountain High School
2,207 students
- Alhambra High
Alhambra High School
2,169 students
- This school
Central High School
1,733 students
What this shows Central High School reports 1,733 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central High School compares
Central High School is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Arizona and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Arizona | Arizona avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.1:1 | ▼ 11% | 17:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 88.0% | ▲ 82% | 48.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 1,733 | top 4% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.1:1
Leaner classes than 46% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
1,733
Bigger than 97% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
88.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 82% above the Arizona average of 48.3%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
15.1:1
students per teacher
- 11% below state mean
Top 37% in Arizona - lower ratio than 63% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Funding equity
$13,194
per pupil, district-wide
- below Arizona avg of $13,502
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors7.0 FTE
Per 248 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
163
in-school suspensions + 187 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 9.4 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 20.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 67.3%
African American 15.1%
White 6.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native 5.5%
Two or More 2.7%
Asian 2.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.2%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 67.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 51.5/100
Simpson diversity index - at 51.5, Central High School is more mixed than the Arizona school average of 47.2.
Programs
AP courses offered 6
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Phoenix Union High School District (4286) reports $13,194 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Central High School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trevor Browne High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Cesar Chavez High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Maryvale High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| South Mountain High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Alhambra High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Central High School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,598
- Students per teacher
- 20.6:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 2,532
- Students per teacher
- 18.3:1
- Resource Index
- 47/100
- Enrollment
- 2,207
- Students per teacher
- 19.9:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 2,169
- Students per teacher
- 17.4:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
Similar high schools in Phoenix
6 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Madison Highland Prep
Standard public school
510 students
Arizona Preparatory Academy
Alternative education program
233 students
Ombudsman - Charter West
Alternative education program
176 students
Skyline Prep High School
Alternative education program
167 students
Intelli-School - Paradise Valley
Alternative education program
63 students
Think Through Academy
Standard public school
61 students
Nationwide high schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~1,733 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central High School
How many students attend Central High School?
Central High School has 1,733 students enrolled. It is a high school in Phoenix, AZ. CCD year-over-year: 1,901 (2022-23) → 1,758 (2023-24), down 143.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 15.1:1, which is 11% lower than the Arizona average of 17:1 and 4% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central High School?
88.0% of students at Central High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Arizona average of 48.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central High School?
The largest demographic group at Central High School is Hispanic or Latino at 67.3% of enrollment, in Phoenix, AZ. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 51.5/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central High School?
Central High School has a Resource Investment Index of 53/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Central High School rank among high schools in Phoenix?
By Resource Investment Index, Central High School ranks #9 of 65 high schools in Phoenix, AZ. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all high schools in Phoenix on the city page.
What other schools are in Phoenix Union High School District (4286)?
Besides Central High School, Phoenix Union High School District (4286) also operates Trevor Browne High School (2,850 students), Cesar Chavez High School (2,598 students), and Maryvale High School (2,532 students). See the Phoenix Union High School District (4286) district page for the complete list.