History of Central High School

     Central High School Magnet Career Academy is an extraordinary institution of learning with a rich history. Central began in a time dramatically different from now; a time of separation, inequality, and injustice for many people.

     In 1870, a group of leading black citizens appealed to the Louisville Board of Education for free schools for their children. Thus, the Board of Education opened two buildings in October for educating "children of the African race," to be financed by taxes collected from the black community. From the very start, the courses of studies at Central High School consisted of a college curriculum. Students were able to take part in classes like rhetoric, trigonometry, botany, and philosophy.

     Central High School was not only a powerhouse for academics; it also received this title for sports. Before basketball tournaments were integrated in Kentucky, the Yellowjackets won the national championship in 1952. Central continued to win tournament after tournament, trophy after trophy; with all this success, one could easily forget that for the first 30 years of Central's existence, there was no gymnasium or playing field.

     Central High School is the classic story of from rags to riches. This school started with virtually nothing and now has partnerships with prestigious companies such as Fifth Third Bank, Papa John's, Walgreens, Norton Hospital, and the University of Kentucky.