- Enrollment
- 1,088
- Students per teacher
- 18.4:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
High school (grades 9-12) · Grand Rapids, MI
Central High School
Federal NCES profile for Central High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 33/100.
2024-25 NCES dataHigh school (grades 9-12)NCES 261461005155
👥 S:T ratio 20
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 45
📋 Attendance 39
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Central High School earns 33/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 80% of Michigan schools. It is also one of the largest schools in Michigan.
- #7 of 22
- high schools in Grand Rapids · Resource Index
- 33
- Resource Index · Typical
- 20:1
- large classes for Michigan
- 12.3%
- free-lunch eligible
Central High School has class sizes larger than 80% of Michigan schools. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Central High School ranks #7 of 22 high schools in Grand Rapids, MI.
School address
District: Forest Hills Public Schools · Michigan
NCES ID 261461005155 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-20 students YoY
Central High School held near 1,033 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-20 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 50.1 → 53.6 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-20 students YoY 261461005155 · Grand Rapids, MI High · MID · TRAD
999 enr · 20:1 · 12.3% lunch · RII 33
Nearest enrollment peer: Northern High School (1,088 students)
Central High School held near 1,033 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-20 headcount). Teacher FTE added 50.1 → 53.6 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
- Northern High
Northern High School
1,088 students
- This school
Central High School
999 students
- Eastern High S
Eastern High School
768 students
- Eastern Middle
Eastern Middle School
528 students
- Northern Trail
Northern Trails 56 School
520 students
- Knapp Forest E
Knapp Forest Elementary School
520 students
What this shows Central High School reports 999 students on the CCD universe file.
How Central High School compares
Central High School held steady on CCD headcount: 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 | ▲ 14% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 12.3% | ▼ 77% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 999 | top 5% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
20:1
Leaner classes than 16% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
999
Bigger than 91% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
12.3%
free-lunch eligible
- 77% below the Michigan average of 54.3%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
20:1
students per teacher
- 14% above state mean
Top 80% in Michigan - lower ratio than 20% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
24.3%
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
$14,433
per pupil, district-wide
- below Michigan avg of $15,012
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors3.6 FTE
Per 278 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
10
in-school suspensions + 18 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 81.1%
Asian 6.8%
Hispanic or Latino 4.7%
Two or More 4.5%
African American 2.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%
Largest group: White at 81.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 33.3/100
Simpson diversity index - at 33.3, Central High School is less mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
AP courses offered 21
District finance for Forest Hills Public Schools reports $14,433 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Eastern High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Eastern Middle School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Northern Trails 56 School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Knapp Forest Elementary School | Smaller | Similar economic need | Lower 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
- 768
- Students per teacher
- 19.2:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
- Enrollment
- 528
- Students per teacher
- 18.9:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 520
- Students per teacher
- 19.3:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
- Enrollment
- 520
- Students per teacher
- 16.8:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
Similar high schools in Grand Rapids
6 comparable high schools (grades 9-12) serving the same city.
Grand River Preparatory High School
Standard public school
635 students 21.2:1 students per teacher
West Michigan Aviation Academy
Standard public school
600 students 16.2:1 students per teacher
Innovation Central High
Standard public school
386 students 12.1:1 students per teacher
Covenant House Academy Grand Rapids
Alternative education program
218 students 18.2:1 students per teacher
Nextech High School
Standard public school
144 students 24:1 students per teacher
Kenowa Hills Pathways High School
Alternative education program
99 students 33:1 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 (~999 students)
Frequently asked questions about Central High School
How many students attend Central High School?
Central High School has 999 students enrolled. It is a high school in Grand Rapids, MI. CCD year-over-year: 1,053 (2022-23) → 1,033 (2023-24), nearly flat (-20).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central High School is 20:1, which is 14% higher than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 27% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Central High School?
12.3% 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 White at 81.1% of enrollment, in Grand Rapids, MI.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Central High School?
Central High School has a Resource Investment Index of 33/100 (typical 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 Grand Rapids?
By Resource Investment Index, Central High School ranks #7 of 22 high schools in Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids on the city page.
What other schools are in Forest Hills Public Schools?
Besides Central High School, Forest Hills Public Schools also operates Northern High School (1,088 students), Eastern High School (768 students), and Eastern Middle School (528 students). See the Forest Hills Public Schools district page for the complete list.