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Central Academy of Excellence is a 9-12th grade neighborhood school and a part of Kansas City Public Schools. All students that live in the neighborhood boundaries are eligible to attend Central. Students at Central are not required to wear a uniform, though they are expected to adhere to district dress code guidelines. -
Anthony Madry is principal at Central Academy of Excellence. He is passionate about showing kids in his school all that education can do to change their lives. He has been head principal for three years and loves promoting Central to visitors. -
In addition to Principal Madry, a team of building administrators and instructional coaches support teachers and students each day. Here (left to right) Instructional coaches Ms. Woods and Ms. Wafer are pictured alongside Assistant Principal Litzey. (Instructional coaches are teaching and curriculum experts that work with teachers on finding the best practices for their particular students.) -
As a part of Kansas City Public Schools, students at Central Academy of Excellence receive free breakfast and free lunch each day. Here, students are being dismissed from lunch to head to their next class for the day. -
On the day of our visit, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard and KCPS Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell drop by Central Academy to check in with students during lunch. District leaders have worked intentionally with Principal Madry to create a culture of caring and support for all students at Central. This happens via face to face check-ins and other school partnerships that support kids. -
City Year is one partnership that helps to support students inside of the classroom. City Year volunteers are paired up with freshmen and sophomore students to keep them on track academically. They go to classes with students and provide after school tutoring opportunities along with incentives for academic success. -
Legal Aid of Missouri has an office inside of Central Academy of Excellence. Lawyers are on hand to assist students and their families with legal issues that impact them whether it is a school matter or a personal one. -
Students with children aged 0-3 years also have access to a daycare inside of Central Academy of Excellence. This helps because parents are able to be on hand should their children or daycare staff need them. Teenagers with small children can attend their classes and be sure that they are leaving their kids in capable hands. The children are prepared for kindergarten, taught how to work with others, and fed nutritious snacks. Here, two daycare staff members stop to check in quickly during a break. -
When students enter Central Academy of Excellence they are greeted by school security and must pass through metal detectors. Administrators at Central take student safety very seriously. -
When students and families enter Central Academy of Excellence they are greeted by the school pledge. This is hung in the foyer to remind students to enter the building with the Eagle mindset. -
Students at Central Academy of Excellence have a tradition of excellence in several sports. Here, trophies for basketball, track, and other sports are featured in the front hall. -
When students and families enter the building, they check in with front office staff Ms. Johnson. -
Community volunteers came into Central Academy and painted murals like these on every wall. The neighborhood has rallied around students at Central and they support their success. Projects like these allow them to contribute in a meaningful way. -
In ROTC class, these students practice for an upcoming performance along with their teacher. ROTC is an elective class at Central Academy of Excellence for students thinking about a future military career. -
In Art, these students pose proudly in front of their work. All students must take art as one of their classes at Central Academy of Excellence. -
In English class, this teacher supports a student with a question about her work... -
… while other students are working together in small groups on their assignment. -
In Science, students work independently to take notes along with their teacher at the front of the room. -
In this Social Studies classroom, the teacher leads a group review while students check their work. -
In math class, students use their district-issued devices to collaborate on their class work. All students at Central Academy of Excellence have access to technology in each class. -
Here, the classroom teacher grades papers and watches while a City Year volunteer reviews math concepts with students. -
Along with their core classes, students can choose to take electives like Culinary Arts. Here, students are preparing menus for an upcoming event. -
Students at Central Academy of Excellence have a variety of options for gym class. Their recently renovated school gymnasium features a full sized track, basketball court, racquetball room, weight room, and sports medicine facility. -
Students at Central Academy of Excellence also have access to an Olympic sized swimming pool. -
Students at Central Academy of Excellence have several supports to be sure they get to college including a college advisor. She meets with students and families, walks them through the college application and financial aid process and also organizes college tours. -
Students also have access to two counselors who meet with students about both academic and emotional concerns. -
Outside, Central Academy of Excellence boasts a full-sized football field for home games and a track that they share with community members seeking exercise. There is also a soccer field that community members share for practice games. -
At Central teachers, staff, and community have united to help students succeed.
Central High School (9-12)
School Leader(s)
Anthony Madry, Principal- NO Tuition
- Availability for 2020-2021
- Transportation provided
- Before and After-Care Available
Quick Facts
Our Mission
Central Academy of Excellence is committed to a culture of continuous improvement in which everyone is working to improve teaching and learning throughout the organization. We are committed to studying research and best practices, in order to provide a strong instructional program.
Points of Pride
- JROTC - We have a dynamic JROTC team. JROTC is a first class citizenship program that is dedicated to develop responsible students who upon graduation from high school are better prepared to be successful I college and careers.
- A+ program - Graduates who qualify may be eligible to receive financial assistance with tuition and fees to any public community college, vocational, or technical school in the state of Missouri, contingent upon continued funding by the Missouri Legislature.
- 20/20 Leadership Program - High School Seniors participate in an 18-month program to develop five crucial personal, professional and leadership traits in the focus areas of Education, Personal Development, Career Readiness and Community.
School Hours
- School Hours: 7:20 am - 2:20 pm
- Before Care Hours Start: Information not shared with SMKCS
- After Care Hours End: Information not shared with SMKCS
School Details
- Year Established: 1884
- Total Enrollment: 497
- Affiliation: KCPS-Neighborhood
- School Type: KCPS-Neighborhood
Tuition
- Tuition: NO Tuition
Our Demographics
Receive Special Ed Services
English Language Learners
Programs and Features
Specialized Programs
- N/A
Arts Programs
- N/A
Sports Programs
- Cross Country (Boys)
- Cross Country (Girls)
- Football
- Swimming (Boys)
- Swimming (Girls)
- Track and Field (Boys)
- Track and Field (Girls)
- Wrestling (Boys)
Clubs + Activities
- Debate
- JROTC
- Speech + Debate
Family Engagement
- N/A
Application Process
Application Details
Although many schools have application deadlines, most continue to accept applications for available seats on an ongoing basis.
- Application Open: December 5, 2019
- Offer Date: March 1, 2021
- Residence: Students must live within KCPS boundaries.
How to Apply
Enroll online on the KCPS website
Applications for signature and neighborhood schools open on December 14, 2020
The initial round of applications deadline is February 15, 2021
The week of March 1st, initial seats will be offered, and parents will need to complete the registration form.
You can still apply after the deadline, seats will be offered at a later date.
Submit applications online or in person at the Board of Education building, 2901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64109. Applications CANNOT be submitted at schools.
Student Performance
Standardized Test Results
English
Math
Why It Matters
Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests are scored (or graded) according to four achievement levels: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. The number shown here is the percentage of students who scored Proficient or Advanced. When comparing scores between years, please remember that the test Missouri gives has changed several times.
Please note that private schools are not required to participate in these exams.
In 2019, the average English score in Missouri was 48.7%; the average Math score was 41.9%, source
Attendance Rate 90/90
Why It Matters
Schools strive to have at least 90% of their students achieve a 90% attendance rate because kids learn best when they’re in school.
In 2019, 87.3% of Missouri students were in attendance at least 90% of the time, source.
Student Growth
English Language Arts
Floor
Why It Matters
This data determines if individual students, compared to their peers, are making achievement gains over time in English Language Arts.
There are three categories possible: Floor (minimum), On Track (doing just fine), and Exceeding (outperforming their peers).
Mathematics
Floor
Why It Matters
This data determines if individual students, compared to their peers, are making achievement gains over time in Mathematics.
There are three categories possible: Floor (minimum), On Track (doing just fine), and Exceeding (outperforming their peers).
Student Retention Rate
Dropout Rate
Why It Matters
The dropout rate helps tell the story of the graduation rate because it takes into account students who take more than four years to graduate or who transferred to other schools.
In 2019, the average dropout rate in Missouri was 1.9%, source.
Graduation Rate
Why It Matters
The number of students who started at a school in 9th grade and graduate from that particular school four years later.
In 2019, the average graduation rate in Missouri was 89.64%, source.
ACT Scores
ACT Average Score
ACT Participation Rate
Why It Matters
The ACT is a standardized test that many students take before applying to college. This is the percentage of graduates who took the ACT and their average score. Students need a score of at least 18 in order to qualify for Missouri A+ Scholarships. Research shows that students who earn a 21 or higher have the best chance of earning grades C or higher in college.
In 2019, Missouri’s average ACT score was 20.6 and the percent of graduates who took the ACT was 76.69%, source