Central High School vs. Wilson High School
Should you attend Central High School or Wilson High School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Top Rankings
Central High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Student Attention
Wilson High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Overview
Central High School in Florence, AL, serves grades 7–12 with 603 students and a student–teacher ratio of 15:1, ranking #708 in Alabama in 2023 after declining from #295 in 2018.
The school's graduation rate consistently exceeded the state average, reaching 95% in 2023 compared to Alabama's 88%.
Math proficiency declined to 15% in 2023, lower than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 49%, higher than the state average of 47%, and science proficiency was 39%, approximately equal to the state average of 38%.
Minority enrollment was about 10%, with 55% of students eligible for free lunch in 2023, reflecting an increase from 24% in 2000, indicating a rise in socioeconomic need.
Central High School is a Title I eligible school in Lauderdale County focused on grades 7–12, making it a key public high school option in Florence, Alabama.
Wilson High School in Florence, Alabama, ranked #691 statewide in 2023, showing a decline from #350 in 2016 and fluctuating within the bottom 50% for overall testing performance in recent years.
Math proficiency at Wilson High School was 21% in 2023, lower than the state average of 30%, with a decline from 50% in 2018; reading proficiency was 44%, lower than the state average of 47%, while science proficiency matched the state average at 38%.
Enrollment decreased from 1,293 students in 2022 to 671 in 2023 with the student–teacher ratio improving to 15:1; 58% of students qualified for free lunch and 9% for reduced–price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need.
Wilson High School serves grades 7 through 12 with 599 students enrolled and a balanced gender distribution of 50% male and 50% female; minority enrollment was approximately 5%, primarily White (570 students).
The school's graduation rate remained strong at 95% in 2023, significantly higher than the state average of 88%, placing it within the top 5% in Alabama for graduation outcomes.
Grades Offered
7-12
7-12
Total Students
603 students
599 students
% Male | % Female
56% | 44%
50% | 50%
Total Classroom Teachers
39 teachers
41 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Test Scores
Overall Testing Rank
#708 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
#691 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
15%
21%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
44%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
38%
Graduation Rate
≥95%
≥95%
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Grade 7 Students
99
82
Grade 8 Students
106
102
Grade 9 Students
109
97
Grade 10 Students
110
121
Grade 11 Students
97
92
Grade 12 Students
82
105
Students by Ethnicity
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
1%
n/a
% Hispanic
4%
1%
% Black
4%
2%
% White
90%
95%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
1%
Diversity Score
0.19
0.10
Additional Information
Eligible for Free Lunch
55%
58%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
9%
