Central High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
| Central High School | |
|---|---|
 Memphis Central High modern entry | |
| Location | |
 | |
306 South Bellevue Boulevard , 38104 United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | Enhancing The Tradition of Excellence |
| Established | 1909 |
| School district | Shelby County Schools |
| Principal | Greg McCullough |
| Teaching staff | 83.20 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 1,530 (2017–18)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 18.39[1] |
| Color(s) | Green and gold |
| Fight song | |
| Mascot | Warrior |
| Nickname | The High School |
| Website | schools |
Central High School | |
 Front of Central High | |
  | |
| Location | 306 S. Bellevue Blvd., Memphis, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°8′1″N 90°1′11″W / 35.13361°N 90.01972°WCoordinates: 35°8′1″N 90°1′11″W / 35.13361°N 90.01972°W |
| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1911 |
| Architect | B.C. Alsup |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival, Jacobethan Revival |
| MPS | Public Schools of Memphis 1902-1915 TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004041[2] |
| Added to NRHP | September 17, 1982 |
Central High School is a public high school (grades 9-12) in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Since it was founded in the early 1900s and is considered the first high school in Memphis; Central is often called "THE" High School. It is a part of the Shelby County Optional School system where it is recognized as a school specializing in college preparatory programs. The principal is Gregory McCullough. Central's mascot is the Warrior and the school colors are green and gold. For recognition as the successor to Memphis High School, the first high school in Memphis, Central High's football team, rather than having artwork denoting the "Warrior" mascot, simply has a capital "H", for THE High School
History[]
Central High was built in 1911 by the Memphis Board of Education, when the current building was erected on Raleigh Avenue, now called Bellevue Blvd. It is in the Jacobean Revival architecture style, with corner pavilions on the west facade, and rusticated surrounds on the upper story windows. Though there have been additions, the school retains is architectural integrity.[3] Central High's building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 17, 1982.[2]
Academics[]
Central High School offers a traditional program of academics as well as an Optional College Preparatory Program. Honors and Advanced Placement courses are offered.[4]
Demographics[]
In 2014, 405 students received diplomas. ACT composite scores for the 2014-2015 school year were 18.1 vs 19.8 for the state and 21.1 national.[4]
Extra-curricular activities, clubs and organizations[]
Central High School is has clubs in foreign language, volunteer service, and honor societies. Central's extracurricular activities include:
- Concert Choir
- Mixed Chorale
- Warrior Band
- Jazz Band
- Orchestra
- Color Guard (Flag Girls)
- Cheerleading
- Dance Team
- Baseball
- Softball
- Swim Team
- Golf
- Football
- Girls' Soccer
- Boys' Soccer
- Volleyball
- Boys' Cross Country
- Girls' Cross Country
- Boys' Track
- Girls' Track
- Lady Warriors Basketball
- Warriors Basketball
- Student Council
- Future Business Leaders of America
- Youth Crusaders Club
- Newspaper Staff
- Yearbook Staff
- Broadcasting/Media Concepts
- French Club
- Spanish Club
- Latin Club
- DECA
- Bowling
- JROTC
- Mu Alpha Theta
- National Honor Society
- International Club
- National English Honor Society
- Mock Trial Team
- Key Club
- Knowledge Bowl Team
- Chess Club
- GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance)
- Debate Team
Notable alumni[]
 | This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (July 2021) |
- Avron Fogelman - Memphis businessman
- Alex Chilton - musician of the Box Tops – “The Letter” - would have been CHS '69, but dropped out when The Letter became a hit
- Art Tait - American football player in the National Football League (NFL)
- Bette Greene - CHS ’52; author “Summer of My German Soldier”
- Kemmons Wilson - creator of the Holiday Inn
- Charles W. Burson - CHS '62; legal counsel and chief of staff to Vice-President Al Gore
- George Barnes alias Machine Gun Kelly[5]
- Terry Manning - music producer, photographer
- William Sanderson - CHS ’62; "Larry" on the Newhart show
- John Farris - CHS ’55; author “Harrison High”, a fictional account of Central High
- William G. Leftwich, Jr. - Marine killed in Vietnam
- William F. Barnes - football coach at UCLA
- Peter Taylor - short-story writer and novelist
- Lester Hudson - professional basketball player
- William Poduska - CHS '55; electrical engineer, businessman, and professor
- Edward L. Stanton III - United States Attorney & federal judicial nominee
- Margaret Valiant - musician, folklorist, ethnomusicologist and activist
- Jon Wells - CHS '76; alias "Thunder Paws", former drummer for Black Oak Arkansas (recorded on Ready As Hell)[citation needed]
- Key Glock- CHS' 15 - music artist and rapper signed to Paper Route Empire[citation needed]
- Pooh Shiesty - CHS'18 rapper and music artist[citation needed]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Central High
- ^ Jump up to: a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Lloyd Ostby (May 1982). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Central High School". National Park Service. Retrieved February 9, 2016. Accompanying three photos from 1982.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Central High School Profile" (PDF). Central High School Memphis. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- ^ "Machine Gun Kelly captured in Memphis". historic-memphis.com. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Central High School (Memphis, Tennessee). |
- Public high schools in Tennessee
- School buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Tennessee
- Schools in Memphis, Tennessee
- National Register of Historic Places in Memphis, Tennessee
- 1909 establishments in Tennessee