Central High School is a high school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States, enrolling grades 9 to 12. The school enrolls approximately 700 students, and is one of three traditional high schools in the Tuscaloosa City School District along with Paul W. Bryant High School and Northridge High School.
Serving 796 students in grades 9-12, Central High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 30%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 10-14% (which is lower than the Alabama state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Alabama state average of 50% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 796 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
- Minority Enrollment: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 75-79% (Btm 50% in AL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 10-14% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 15-19% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Central High School serves the southwest part of Tuscaloosa, AL, encompassing an attendance zone of approximately 7 square miles. Families within this area can typically reach the school in about 10 to 12 minutes, with an average distance of 3.4 miles from the school to the zone's edge, and the furthest point located 5.5 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Central High School's student population of 796 students has grown by 6% over five school years.
The teacher population of 45 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
796 students
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
45 teachers
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1979
School Calendar
School Rankings
Central High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,275 schools in Alabama (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Central High School is 0.24, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1225 out of 1275 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
30%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
10-14%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
38%
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
17:1
Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
2%
Showing 2000–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
7%
12%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 28-year historical data available below ↓
Black
87%
31%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
White
5%
50%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
75-79%
90%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)23.2%
22.6%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
78%
53%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
5%
Showing 2012–2024. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Falcon Blue and Gold
School Mascot
Falcons
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Central High School's ranking?
Central High School is ranked #1225 out of 1,275 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Alabama.
What schools are Central High School often compared to?
Central High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Northridge High School, Holt High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 30% AL state average), while 10-14% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% AL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Central High School?
The graduation rate of Central High School is 75-79%, which is lower than the Alabama state average of 90%.
How many students attend Central High School?
796 students attend Central High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
87% of Central High School students are Black, 7% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are White, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Central High School?
Central High School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Alabama state average of 17:1.
What grades does Central High School offer ?
Central High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Central High School part of?
Central High School is part of Tuscaloosa City School District.
School Reviews
Review Central High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
