Central High School

central.careerprepschool.org/

Charter School 93 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Central High School, located at 840 W. State Street in Columbus, Ohio, holds significant historical importance as a landmark in the city’s educational landscape. Situated in the Franklinton neighborhood, the building is perhaps best known for its iconic, fortress-like Collegiate Gothic architecture, which has made it a recognizable fixture of the Columbus skyline for nearly a century. Over the decades, the facility has transitioned through various roles, reflecting the shifting needs and development of the surrounding urban community.

Today, the site is famously repurposed as the headquarters for COSI (the Center of Science and Industry). After the high school vacated the premises, the building underwent extensive renovations to house the world-class science center, successfully blending its historic preservation with modern educational functionality. While the structure no longer operates as a traditional public high school, it remains a vital "school" in a broader sense—a major educational hub that continues to serve the youth and families of Columbus through interactive learning and science engagement.

Total Students

6.0

Full-Time Teachers

15.5

Student/Teacher Ratio

N/A

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Central High School
Demographic	Student Count
White	18
Hispanic	11
Black	60
Two or More	4

Black
60 (64.5%)
White
18 (19.4%)
Hispanic
11 (11.8%)
Two or More
4 (4.3%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Central High School
Phone:	(614)362-7530
Website:	http://central.careerprepschool.org/
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	93
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	6.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	15.5
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	0
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 47

Grade 10 25

Grade 11 17

Grade 12 4