Is Central High School a good school?

Central High School ranks in the bottom 15.2% of Colorado high schools.

How many students attend Central High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,053 students attended Central High School.

What is the racial makeup of Central High School?

Students at Central High School are 75% Hispanic, 21% White, 2% Two or more races, 1% African American.

What schools feed into Central High School?

Central High School is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Bessemer Elementary School Elementary : Columbian Elementary School Elementary : Heritage Elementary School Elementary : Minnequa Elementary School Middle : Risley International Academy of Innovation

Central High School

Summary:

Central High School is a public high school located in Pueblo, Colorado, serving grades 9-12 with a student population of 971. The school is part of the Pueblo School District No. 60, which is ranked 104 out of 116 districts in Colorado and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Central High School faces several challenges that set it apart from nearby schools. The school has a significantly higher Hispanic student population (72.5%) compared to the state average and nearby schools like Centennial High School, East High School, and South High School. Additionally, Central High School consistently ranks in the bottom half of Colorado high schools, with a ranking of 296 out of 349 schools in the 2023-2024 school year, and its performance on standardized tests is significantly lower than the state and district averages. The school also has a high percentage of students (68.38% in 2022-2023) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.

The analysis of Central High School's data reveals several areas of concern, including declining academic performance, racial achievement gaps, and socioeconomic challenges. Addressing these issues will require a comprehensive approach involving the school, Pueblo School District No. 60, and community stakeholders to improve the educational outcomes for the students at Central High School.

Detail:

Public 9-12

216 East Orman Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81004-2144

(719) 549-7300

District: Pueblo School District No. 60

SchoolDigger Rank:
296^th of 349 Colorado High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,954

Feeder schools for Central High School:

Elementary:	Bessemer Elementary School
	Columbian Elementary School
	Heritage Elementary School
	Minnequa Elementary School
Middle:	Risley International Academy of Innovation

Student/teacher ratio: 24.7

Number of students: 1,053

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

74.7%

White:

20.6%

Two or more races:

2.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 75%

See top rated Colorado high schools

Compare Central High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Central High School ranks worse than 84.8% of high schools in Colorado. It also ranks 4^th among 5 ranked high schools in the Pueblo School District No. 60. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 15.26. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Central High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Central High School has the largest high school student body size in the Pueblo School District No. 60. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (74.7%), White (20.6%), two or more races (2.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 75% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central High School is 24.7. 3 high schools in the Pueblo School District No. 60 have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Central High School employs 42.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central High School is $12,954. 2 high schools in the Pueblo School District No. 60 spend more per student.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Central High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Central High School 296^th of 349 Colorado public high schools. (See Central High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Gifted and Talented students:

Male students:

Hispanic students:

White students:

Pueblo School District No. 60:

SchoolDigger ranks Pueblo School District No. 60 104^th of 116 Colorado school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Central High School.

What do you think?

Your rating for Central High School?

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Rank History for Central High School

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Rank History for all students at Central High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CO State Percentile
2004	18.13	236^th	279	15.4%
2005	16.38	243^rd	280	13.2%
2006	23.52	232^nd	286	18.9%
2007	22.05	240^th	298	19.5%
2008	12.29	263^rd	301	12.6%
2009	13.12	271^st	310	12.6%
2010	15.65	276^th	327	15.6%
2011	15.58	283^rd	337	16.0%
2012	22.44	254^th	334	24.0%
2013	19.05	281^st	349	19.5%
2014	15.38	307^th	369	16.8%
2015	15.08	259^th	292	11.3%
2016	8.54	248^th	255	2.7%
2017	14.29	227^th	256	11.3%
2018	17.89	303^rd	388	21.9%
2019	19.31	320^th	411	22.1%
2021	7.90	190^th	210	9.5%
2022	8.00	201^st	221	9.0%
2024	15.26	296^th	349	15.2%

See the entire list of Colorado High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Central High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CO State Percentile
2021	21.90	156^th	188	17.0%
2022	21.10	169^th	203	16.7%
2024	16.08	185^th	211	12.3%

See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Central High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CO State Percentile
2021	16.91	197^th	239	17.6%
2022	16.82	208^th	257	19.1%
2024	12.47	223^rd	257	13.2%

See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Central High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CO State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2024	26.80	115^th	140	17.9%

See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Central High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CO State Percentile
2021	17.02	195^th	240	18.8%
2022	18.28	204^th	253	19.4%
2024	16.47	215^th	256	16.0%

See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Central High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CO State Percentile
2021	28.86	128^th	181	29.3%
2022	25.67	152^nd	205	25.9%
2024	20.56	159^th	199	20.1%

See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Central High School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	CO State Percentile
2021	12.85	203^rd	225	9.8%
2022	11.80	207^th	228	9.2%
2024	17.37	196^th	229	14.4%

See the entire list of Best Colorado High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Colorado Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Monday, March 28, 2016

Central High School is, in my opinion, the best secondary school in Pueblo. The STEM program is one-of-a-kind, and offers many rigorous courses. There is a diverse student body that meshes well with the dedicated staff. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Central High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	631	81	3	773	2	n/a	n/a	1490
1989	617	74	1	742	5	n/a	n/a	1439
1990	555	55	1	738	6	n/a	n/a	1355
1991	514	41	6	727	2	n/a	n/a	1290
1992	499	42	6	670	4	n/a	n/a	1221
1993	487	43	6	682	6	n/a	n/a	1224
1994	455	37	10	642	4	n/a	n/a	1148
1995	435	36	8	635	11	n/a	n/a	1125
1996	435	36	8	635	11	n/a	n/a	1125
1997	397	47	7	623	14	n/a	n/a	1088
1998	411	44	4	673	13	n/a	n/a	1145
1999	428	41	4	667	13	n/a	n/a	1153
2000	425	32	3	658	14	n/a	n/a	1132
2001	425	40	3	726	14	n/a	n/a	1208
2002	345	33	5	750	14	n/a	n/a	1147
2003	345	33	5	750	14	n/a	n/a	1147
2004	332	33	5	678	12	n/a	n/a	1060
2005	300	39	3	643	18	n/a	n/a	1003
2006	282	34	1	643	15	n/a	n/a	975
2007	304	26	1	626	22	n/a	n/a	979
2008	279	33	1	656	23	n/a	n/a	992
2009	308	39	3	691	18	n/a	n/a	1059
2010	356	45	5	572	23	n/a	n/a	1001
2011	234	43	1	707	16	1	5	1007
2012	219	45	1	706	20	1	2	994
2013	186	42	0	625	11	0	5	869
2014	163	28	0	622	6	1	6	826
2015	156	17	1	627	4	0	7	812
2016	147	13	1	588	2	0	9	760
2017	160	14	3	622	6	0	9	814
2018	160	14	1	590	9	1	10	785
2019	175	14	0	527	13	2	12	743
2020	186	14	1	567	10	4	18	800
2021	206	19	2	571	9	3	26	836
2022	204	17	2	638	6	0	25	892
2023	208	25	3	704	5	0	26	971
2024	217	15	4	787	5	0	25	1053

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Central High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1490	75.9	19.6	n/a
1989	1439	75.9	18.9	40.5
1990	1355	71.2	19.0	43.7
1991	1290	73.3	17.5	44.2
1992	1221	63.0	19.3	32
1993	1224	57.0	21.5	34.5
1994	1148	53.0	21.7	33.7
1995	1125	52.0	21.6	38.1
1996	1125	52.0	21.6	38.1
1997	1088	49.0	22.2	34.6
1998	1145	53.0	21.6	38.9
1999	1153	60.6	19.0	41.4
2000	1132	52.3	21.6	52.3
2001	1208	53.0	22.8	47.4
2002	1147	58.2	19.7	41.8
2003	1147	58.2	19.7	41.8
2004	1060	61.8	17.2	55.2
2005	1003	58.9	17.0	61.8
2006	975	56.0	17.4	68
2007	979	55.8	17.5	72.1
2008	992	49.5	20.0	76.8
2009	1059	59.5	17.8	75.1
2010	1001	53.6	18.6	77
2011	1007	49.1	20.4	66.3
2012	994	49.5	20.0	67.6
2013	869	47.1	18.4	72.2
2014	826	43.6	18.9	71.7
2015	812	41.0	19.8	73.2
2016	760	44.0	17.2	68.6
2017	814	43.8	18.5	77.8
2018	785	43.2	18.1	78.9
2019	743	39.2	18.9	81.2
2020	800	37.2	21.4	70.4
2021	836	39.6	21.1	71.5
2022	892	38.3	23.2	69.1
2023	971	39.6	24.5	68.4
2024	1053	42.4	24.7	75

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Central High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1490	75.9	19.6	n/a
1989	1439	75.9	18.9	40.5
1990	1355	71.2	19.0	43.7
1991	1290	73.3	17.5	44.2
1992	1221	63.0	19.3	32
1993	1224	57.0	21.5	34.5
1994	1148	53.0	21.7	33.7
1995	1125	52.0	21.6	38.1
1996	1125	52.0	21.6	38.1
1997	1088	49.0	22.2	34.6
1998	1145	53.0	21.6	38.9
1999	1153	60.6	19.0	41.4
2000	1132	52.3	21.6	52.3
2001	1208	53.0	22.8	47.4
2002	1147	58.2	19.7	41.8
2003	1147	58.2	19.7	41.8
2004	1060	61.8	17.2	55.2
2005	1003	58.9	17.0	61.8
2006	975	56.0	17.4	68
2007	979	55.8	17.5	72.1
2008	992	49.5	20.0	76.8
2009	1059	59.5	17.8	75.1
2010	1001	53.6	18.6	77
2011	1007	49.1	20.4	66.3
2012	994	49.5	20.0	67.6
2013	869	47.1	18.4	72.2
2014	826	43.6	18.9	71.7
2015	812	41.0	19.8	73.2
2016	760	44.0	17.2	68.6
2017	814	43.8	18.5	77.8
2018	785	43.2	18.1	78.9
2019	743	39.2	18.9	81.2
2020	800	37.2	21.4	70.4
2021	836	39.6	21.1	71.5
2022	892	38.3	23.2	69.1
2023	971	39.6	24.5	68.4
2024	1053	42.4	24.7	75

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Central High School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2019	$11,922
2020	$10,488
2021	$10,737
2022	$11,794
2023	$12,954

Data source: Colorado Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Central High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 320^th of 411 High schools	Ranks 201^st of 221 High schools	13.1%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	743	971	30.7%
African American	14	25	78.6%
American Indian	13	5	61.5%
Asian	0	3
Hispanic	527	704	33.6%
Pacific Islander	2	0	100%
White	175	208	18.9%
Two or More Races	12	26	116.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	81.2%	68.4%	12.8%

Schools Near Central High School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				PSAT10 Reading and Writing (2024)	PSAT10 Mathematics (2024)	PSAT9 Reading and Writing (2024)	PSAT9 Mathematics (2024)	SAT Reading and Writing (2024)	SAT Mathematics (2024)	CMAS English Language Arts (2024)	CMAS Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
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 (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT10 Reading and Writing 10th Grade	PSAT10 Mathematics 10th Grade	PSAT9 Reading and Writing 9th Grade	PSAT9 Mathematics 9th Grade	SAT Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts All Grades	CMAS Science 11th Grade	Total
Central High School	Public	9-12	216 East Orman Avenue	Pueblo	81004	Pueblo County	Pueblo School District No. 60	No	No	No	No	(719) 549-7300	1,053	42	24.7	75.0%	217 (20.6%)	15 (1.4%)	787 (74.7%)	4 (0.4%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (2.4%)	15.3	296^th of 349 public high schools	15.2%					(n/a)	43.0	12.0	45.0	15.0	35.0	12.0		15.9	$12,954
GOAL Academy	Public, Virtual, Charter	9-12	304 S. Victoria Ave	Pueblo	81003	Pueblo County	El Paso County Colorado School District 49	Yes	No	Yes	No	(877) 776-4625	6,142	213	28.8		2,427 (39.5%)	219 (3.6%)	3,044 (49.6%)	24 (0.4%)	92 (1.5%)	24 (0.4%)	312 (5.1%)	8.6	322^nd of 349 public high schools	7.7%		6.7	327^th of 349 public high schools	6.3%	5	39.0	3.0	43.0	7.0	24.0	2.0		9.2	$8,827
Academy of Las Animas Online School	Public, Virtual	6-12	2001 Lake Ave	Pueblo	81004	Pueblo County	Las Animas School District No. Re-1	No	No	Yes	Yes	(800) 808-0718	512	12	43.7		89 (17.4%)	13 (2.5%)	408 (79.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	8.8	320^th of 349 public high schools	8.3%					(n/a)	36.0		31.0		30.0		10.4		$16,224
Paragon Learning Center	Public, Virtual	9-12	3000 Lakeview Avenue	Pueblo	81005	Pueblo County	Pueblo School District No. 60	No	No	Yes	Yes	(719) 423-3570	469	19	25.3	90.4%	87 (18.6%)	3 (0.6%)	365 (77.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	11 (2.3%)	19.7	282^nd of 349 public high schools	19.2%		6.8	325^th of 349 public high schools	6.9%	43	51.0		58.0		25.0				$12,514
South High School	Public	9-12	1801 Hollywood Drive	Pueblo	81005	Pueblo County	Pueblo School District No. 60	No	No	No	No	(719) 549-7255	895	46	19.3	75.5%	241 (26.9%)	22 (2.5%)	599 (66.9%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	24 (2.7%)	17.7	291^st of 349 public high schools	16.6%		23.5	264^th of 349 public high schools	24.4%	27	48.0	11.0	46.0	11.0	41.0	15.0		15.2	$12,534
Centennial High School	Public	9-12	2525 Montview Dirve	Pueblo	81008	Pueblo County	Pueblo School District No. 60	No	No	No	No	(719) 549-7337	824	50	16.5	71.6%	214 (26.0%)	22 (2.7%)	552 (67.0%)	10 (1.2%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (2.5%)	16.6	292^nd of 349 public high schools	16.3%		27.7	245^th of 349 public high schools	29.8%	47	47.0	16.0	44.0	19.0	33.0			11.3	$14,712
East High School	Public	9-12	9 Mac Neil Road	Pueblo	81001	Pueblo County	Pueblo School District No. 60	No	No	No	No	(719) 549-7222	1,024	53	19.4	82.8%	158 (15.4%)	19 (1.9%)	822 (80.3%)	2 (0.2%)	7 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	15 (1.5%)	14.4	300^th of 349 public high schools	14.0%		22.5	268^th of 349 public high schools	23.2%	32	48.0	9.0	38.0	16.0	36.0	9.0		17.8	$12,962
Swallows Charter Academy High School	Public, Charter	9-12	101 Civic Center Drive	Pueblo West	81007	Pueblo County	Pueblo County School District 70	Yes	No	No	No	(719) 547-1627	170	9	19.3	31.2%	105 (61.8%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (27.6%)	3 (1.8%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (7.6%)	71.2	89^th of 349 public high schools	74.5%		75.8	81^st of 349 public high schools	76.8%	8	85.0	40.0	87.0	35.0	78.0			35.9	$13,678
Pueblo County High School	Public	9-12	1050 35th Lane	Pueblo	81006	Pueblo County	Pueblo County School District 70	No	No	No	No	(719) 948-3352	1,194	60	20.0	55.4%	616 (51.6%)	7 (0.6%)	519 (43.5%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (4.0%)	44.2	181^st of 349 public high schools	48.1%		42.9	190^th of 349 public high schools	45.6%	9	62.0	28.0	66.0	40.0	51.0	24.0		25.0	$11,409
Pueblo West High School	Public	9-12	661 Capistrano Drive	Pueblo West	81007	Pueblo County	Pueblo County School District 70	No	No	No	No	(719) 547-8050	1,503	73	20.5	44.9%	791 (52.6%)	12 (0.8%)	574 (38.2%)	13 (0.9%)	3 (0.2%)	5 (0.3%)	105 (7.0%)	44.2	180^th of 349 public high schools	48.4%		38.9	203^rd of 349 public high schools	41.8%	23	64.0	29.0	68.0	32.0	56.0	24.0		22.7	$11,778

Central High School

Central High School:

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Pueblo School District No. 60:

Average Rating:

What do you think?

Rank History for Central High School

Rank History for all students at Central High School

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Central High School

Rank History for Female students at Central High School

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Central High School

Rank History for Male students at Central High School

Rank History for Hispanic students at Central High School

Rank History for White students at Central High School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Central High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Central High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Central High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Central High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Central High School

Rankings

Student Body

Schools Near Central High School

Frequently Asked Questions about Central High School

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