The Central R-III School District is located in Park Hills, a rural town in southeastern Missouri. The district is known regionally for outstanding academic achievement. Central has met the requirements to be  recognized for Distinction in Performance by the State Board of Education for ten consecutive years. Central High School has been recognized by the Southern Region Education Board as one of the top ten high schools in the state of Missouri for three consecutive years.

US News and World Report also named Central High School as one of the top high schools in the nation. Each year, several seniors at Central earn their Associate of Arts Degree prior to graduating from Central by participating in a joint program with Mineral Area College. In addition to outstanding academics, Central also boasts some of the finest facilities in the entire state. Central R-III School District facilities have been featured in a number of architectural and building publications of the past six years.

Athletic teams have also enjoyed their fair share of success. The football team is a consistent state playoff team. Girls’ basketball and softball have enjoyed winning district championships. Central also recently won the district championship in baseball. Each year several wrestlers and track participants compete for state championships.

The Central R-III School District offers a great opportunity for students to maximize their full potential in a nurturing academically centered environment.