The top reported proficiency rate is 78% in English language arts. The lowest is 67% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on North Central High School
North Central High School in Spokane is a regular public school spanning grades six through twelve, a configuration that keeps students in one building from early adolescence through graduation. The school serves more than fifteen hundred students, with the bulk enrolled in the high school grades and a much smaller middle-level program of about sixth through eighth graders. This means the middle school experience here takes place within a high school setting, which some families find appealing for continuity and others may want to consider for how their child handles a predominantly older peer environment.
On state assessments, North Central performs well. The most recent testing across math, English language arts, and science shows strong proficiency rates, especially for a school where a substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Results place the school’s overall proficiency index in the top quarter among all districts across Spokane County. That is a notable academic strength and signals that instruction is effective across tested grades and subjects. Parents looking at state test data will find this school a standout relative to nearby options. Because only one year of this test data was available, the consistency of performance over a longer period is not something the record yet confirms.
The student body is diverse economically, with a large proportion coming from lower-income households. Racially, the school is predominantly white, with a notable share of students identifying as two or more races, followed by smaller populations of Hispanic, Black, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. No data on students with disabilities or English learners was reported, so a parent who needs information about special education services or language support programs would want to ask the school directly.
Spokane itself is the second-largest city in Washington, a regional hub for healthcare, government, education, and logistics. The city has a historic downtown along the Spokane River, with Riverfront Park, and a mix of walkable neighborhoods and more dispersed residential areas. Major employers include Fairchild Air Force Base, Providence Health Care, and Amazon, and the local economy has diversified beyond its earlier dependence on mining, timber, and agriculture. Housing is comparatively affordable relative to the western side of the state, which matters for families deciding where to buy or rent.
North Central is part of Spokane Public Schools, a district that recently completed a major bond-funded construction program that opened three new middle schools. That shift altered feeder patterns across the district, so a family choosing this school should understand how its own attendance boundaries relate to those changes and what middle school options exist in the area.
The school’s website and directory list it as a regular school, with no magnet or charter designation, and no Title I status was reported. That means the academic results come from a general-education setting without a specialized admissions process.
A few gaps stand out for families making a decision. The graduation rate was not available in the data, which is an unusual omission for a school that serves twelfth graders. Parents should confirm that number with the district or school office. Chronic absenteeism figures were also missing. And while the school clearly delivers strong test results in the middle grades, the record contains no information about high-school-level offerings such as Advanced Placement, dual credit, or career and technical education programs. Given that the school serves grades nine through twelve, a family’s choice will depend heavily on what pathways are available for upper-level students, and that information is not reflected in the data reviewed here.
For a parent looking at a large, urban combined middle and high school with proven academic outcomes on state tests, North Central is a compelling option within Spokane, especially for those who value a single-building transition from sixth grade onward. The missing pieces around graduation, attendance, and program breadth are worth investigating directly with the school before a final decision.
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