Chattanooga Central High School is a public high school in Harrison, Tennessee, operated by the Hamilton County Board of Education. Central High School opened in September 1907 on Dodds Avenue in Chattanooga. It was one of Chattanooga's first public high schools.
Serving 670 students in grades 9-12, Central High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Tennessee for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 14% (which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 29% (which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 37%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is equal to the Tennessee state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Tennessee state average of 43% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 670 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 79% (Btm 50% in TN)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 14% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 29% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 25-29% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Central High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Tennessee for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Student Attention
School Overview
Central High School's student population of 670 students has declined by 23% over five school years.
The teacher population of 45 teachers has declined by 21% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
670 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
45 teachers
Year Founded
1907
Colors
Purple, Gold
School Rankings
Central High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,761 schools in Tennessee (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Central High School is 0.66, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1253 out of 1761 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(22-23)14%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
29%
37%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
25-29%
40%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
8%
15%
Black
44%
21%
White
36%
57%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
12%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
(22-23)79%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
58%
45%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
16%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TN Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Central High School's ranking?
Central High School is ranked #1253 out of 1,761 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Tennessee.
What schools are Central High School often compared to?
Central High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Ooltewah High School, East Hamilton High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
14% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% TN state average), while 29% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 37% TN state average).
What is the graduation rate of Central High School?
The graduation rate of Central High School is 79%, which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 90%.
How many students attend Central High School?
670 students attend Central High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
44% of Central High School students are Black, 36% of students are White, 12% of students are Two or more races, and 8% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Central High School?
Central High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is equal to the Tennessee state average of 15:1.
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 Hamilton County 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
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
