- Enrollment
- 2,493
- Students per teacher
- 25.2:1
- Resource Index
- 18/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Detroit, MI
Central High School
Federal NCES profile for Central High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 17/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 260110304670
👥 S:T ratio 20
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 19
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central High School earns 17/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 81% of Michigan schools. It is also less racially and ethnically mixed than most Michigan schools.
- #15 of 16
- high schools in Detroit · Resource Index
- 17
- Resource Index · Lower
- 20.1:1
- large classes for Michigan
- 89.2%
- free-lunch eligible
Central High School has class sizes larger than 81% of Michigan schools. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central High School ranks #15 of 16 high schools in Detroit, MI.
School address
District: Detroit Public Schools Community District · Michigan
NCES ID 260110304670 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+39 students YoY
Central High School grew from 353 students in 2022-23 to 392 in 2023-24 (+11.0%).
Teacher FTE added 20.2 → 25.3 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+39 students YoY 260110304670 · Detroit, MI High · SMALL · TRAD
403 enr · 20.1:1 · 89.2% lunch · RII 17
Nearest enrollment peer: Cass Technical High School (2,493 students)
Central High School grew from 353 students in 2022-23 to 392 in 2023-24 (+11.0%). Teacher FTE added 20.2 → 25.3 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
Central High School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Cass Technical
Cass Technical High School
2,493 students
- Western Intern
Western International High School
1,959 students
- Renaissance Hi
Renaissance High School
1,197 students
- Earhart Elemen
Earhart Elementarymiddle School
1,002 students
- Martin Luther 976
Martin Luther King Jr Senior High School
976 students
- This school 403
Central High School
403 students
What this shows Central High School reports 403 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central High School compares
Central High School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Michigan and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Michigan | Michigan avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 20.1:1 | ▲ 15% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 89.2% | ▲ 64% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 403 | top 41% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
20.1:1
Leaner classes than 16% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
403
Bigger than 48% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
89.2%
free-lunch eligible
- 64% above the Michigan average of 54.3%
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
20.1:1
students per teacher
- 15% above state mean
Top 81% in Michigan - lower ratio than 19% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
85.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$22,002
per pupil, district-wide
- above Michigan avg of $15,012
Well above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting substantially higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 403 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 9 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 2 expulsions.
Student demographics
African American 98.3%
Hispanic or Latino 1.0%
White 0.2%
Asian 0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Largest group: African American at 98.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 3.4/100
Simpson diversity index - at 3.4, Central High School is less mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
AP courses offered 3
District finance for Detroit Public Schools Community District reports $22,002 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cass Technical High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Western International High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Renaissance High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Earhart Elementarymiddle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Martin Luther King Jr Senior 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
- 1,959
- Students per teacher
- 23.6:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
- Enrollment
- 1,197
- Students per teacher
- 19.9:1
- Resource Index
- 18/100
- Enrollment
- 1,002
- Students per teacher
- 20.4:1
- Resource Index
- 12/100
- Enrollment
- 976
- Students per teacher
- 25:1
- Resource Index
- 20/100
Similar high schools in Detroit
6 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney
Standard public school
639 students 15.6:1 students per teacher
Henry Ford High School
Standard public school
607 students 16.9:1 students per teacher
Southeastern High School
Standard public school
602 students 19.4:1 students per teacher
Voyageur College Prep
Standard public school
524 students 23.8:1 students per teacher
Denby High School
Standard public school
464 students 15.5:1 students per teacher
University Preparatory Science and Math Psad High School
Standard public school
452 students 16.1:1 students per teacher
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 (~403 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central High School
How many students attend Central High School?
Central High School has 403 students enrolled. It is a high school in Detroit, MI. CCD year-over-year: 353 (2022-23) → 392 (2023-24), up 39.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 20.1:1, which is 15% higher than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 28% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central High School?
89.2% of students at Central High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Central High School?
The largest demographic group at Central High School is African American at 98.3% of enrollment, in Detroit, MI.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central High School?
Central High School has a Resource Investment Index of 17/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Central High School rank among high schools in Detroit?
By Resource Investment Index, Central High School ranks #15 of 16 high schools in Detroit, MI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all high schools in Detroit on the city page.
What other schools are in Detroit Public Schools Community District?
Besides Central High School, Detroit Public Schools Community District also operates Cass Technical High School (2,493 students), Western International High School (1,959 students), and Renaissance High School (1,197 students). See the Detroit Public Schools Community District district page for the complete list.