Central High School
Central High School serves 2,690 students in grades 9-12.
Central High School placed in the bottom 50% of all schools in Nebraska for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 41% (which is lower than the Nebraska state average of 52%) for the 2018-19 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 45% (which is lower than the Nebraska state average of 52%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Nebraska state level of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is higher than the Nebraska state average of 34% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Top Rankings
Central High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Nebraska for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Central High School's student population of 2,690 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 147 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
2,690 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
147 teachers
Students by Grade
School Rankings
Central High School is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 904 schools in Nebraska (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2018-19 school year.
The diversity score of Central High School is 0.73, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.52. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#683 out of 904 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
52%
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
12:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
4%
3%
Hispanic
26%
19%
Black
27%
7%
White
37%
66%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
76%
85%
Eligible for Free Lunch
51%
37%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
9%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: 2017-2018 (latest school year available) NCES, NE Dept. of Education
School Reviews
5 3/27/2020
Central High is a vibrant, diverse public school in downtown Omaha. My eldest son opted into North High for the Haddox/Project Lead the Way engineering program, but my middle son opted into Central for the overall quality of the educational offerings, and my youngest (daughter) currently attends as a junior. The aggregate scores of a school do not accurately reflect the quality education offered, so I researched the honors and other college-prep programs before my children applied to their school of choice. Central offers: International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment credit and a myriad of honors along with a huge selection of both school-hours and extra-curricular opportunities. Latin, Performance Choirs, nationally recognized programs such as IB, highly ranked sports teams, immediate access to the Joslyn Art Museum...there is so much offered. As in life, there are many abilities represented at Central, so the test scores and rankings are a bit watered down, but the high achievers are able to get every bit of a quality education, and more opportunities than their higher-ranked suburban and parochial counterparts. We moved to Elkhorn a year ago, and my daughter still commutes to Central downtown every day. She is eligible to attend Elkhorn South (one of the highest-ranked hs in the state), but they do not offer the programs she is used to having access to at Central.
5 5/1/2012
Central is THE top public high school in Omaha! Our children and our grandchildren attended Central. High academic standards and intelligent, well-rounded people make up the graduates!
5 7/31/2008
Central is THE BEST school in Nebraska. It's extremely diverse and I've enjoyed 'my stay' so far. :] I will be a senior this fall and I'm looking forward to going back. The teachers at this school care so much about their students no matter what. We are currently the holders of our third state basketball title and state football champions as well.
Our music program has been around approximately since the school was founded in 1859. We have won many prestigious awards and honors ever since.
Altogether I love this school and hope to send my children there if I continue to live in the Omaha area. A Central High education will provide you with so much insight and preparation for college and life in general.
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