Central High School is one of many high schools in Fresno, California. The school has two campuses in the Central Unified School District. The first campus is known as the West Campus, erected in 1922. The second campus, called the East Campus, opened its doors to students in August 1996. Current speculation is that the now Central Unified School District will approve a new high school campus, Central High North Campus. It is not known where or when it will open.
Central Union High School: The Beginning
Central West High School - short version_0001.wmv - A video of Central West High School in Fresno, California. I went to school there from 1972 to 1976, when the school was called Central Union High School.
On March 1, 1922, the Central Union High School District was formed. Newly elected board members from the elementary schools had met earlier that year with Walter G. Martin, who would become the new principal. A piece of property on the corner of McKinley Ave. and Dickenson Ave. was purchased from the Charles Mutchler family, which operated a 120-acre farm and dairy at that location.
On October 2, 1922, Central Union High School opened for its first term in two temporary buildings. It had four teachers, including principal W.G. Martin, who taught history. Ward R. Miles taught plane geometry, general science, biology and physical education, Maude Starbuck taught algebra, Latin and English, and Darlene McAllister taught Spanish, English, and physical education. Student enrollment was 70 students. By the end of the first school year, enrollment was close to 100 students.
By January 1, 1923, construction of a permanent building began. It was considered to be the largest high school in California. It was a two-story brick and stucco building, containing approximately 20 classrooms, a library, offices, and a 750 seat-capacity auditorium.
Originally the district included only four grammar school districts: Barstow, Pershing, Roosevelt and Houghton. Later schools, Herndon, Teague, McKinley, and Figarden joined the district.
Dedication of building
On November 27,1923, the new Central Union High School building was formally dedicated and opened to the public. In honor of the occasion, the school board secured an invitation to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Will C. Wood, to deliver a short address at the dedication ceremony
Central High School East Campus
Facing the near capacity situation at the West Campus, as well as the increase in enrollment in the following years, the Central Unified School Board approved the construction of another high school campus. The campus was built on 60 acres on the northwest corner of W. Dakota and N. Cornelia Avenues. The campus officially welcomed its students during the 1996â€"97 school year.
Much controversy came from which students would attend which campus or if students would be divided and attend both schools. Currently, all freshmen students attend the West Campus. Some upperclassmen continue to attend the West Campus, however with the steady increase in freshmen students every year, that may soon change. In 2012, The district decided to let freshman choose to go to either West Campus or East Campus. However, freshman attending East Campus must enroll in one of four of the career academies on Campus. Enrollment in either of the Academies requires a four-year commitment to East Campus.
Athletics
Central competes in Division I of the CIF Central Section and also in the Tri-River-Athletic-Conference (TRAC), with Buchanan, Clovis High, Clovis East, Clovis West, and Clovis North.
Central has won a total of 96 League Championships (33 in the North Sequoia League, 29 Tri-River-Athletic-Conference, 27 in the Central Sequoia League & 7 in the Fresno County League) Central has won 20 CIF Central Section Valley Championships (Softball 2012 & 2013, Pep and Cheer 2014 & 2017, Girls Tennis in 1994, Girls Golf 2014 & 2015, Girls Volleyball 2017, Football 2017, Boys Golf 2014, Boys Basketball in 1993, 1996, 2016, 2017 & 2018), Boys Tennis in 1992, Track & Field in 2008, 2017 and Baseball in 1958 & 1964.) Unified Soccer a special needs and olympic program won TRAC in 2016, Pep and Cheer has won 6 National Championships (2006 Cheer, 2007 Pep, 2008 Cheer, 2009 Pep, 2013 Cheer & 2017 Cheer) in 2013 Adrian Camposano became the first Central High Wrestler to win a CIF State Championship in Program history at 106 pounds winning by defeating Gionn Peralta of Vacaville in a 11-10 decision and went to complete in Nationals finished 3rd earned All-American status.
Water polo
Central High School is not known for its aquatics program. Their 2010 season was led by goal keeper Kevin Richey, with over 280 saves, making first team All-TRAC, Honorable mention for All-Valleys and Honorable mentions for Nor-Cal All American awards. Senior Greg Bracamonte led the team in goals scored, ending the season with 82. He finished the season with Fresno Bee All Star Team, First Team All-TRAC, as well as Second Team All-NorCals accolades. Both seniors have plans to attend Fresno Pacific University after high school where they will continue to play under head coach Bryan Suhovy. The team's most memorable game was against Clovis North High school. Central won the game in a fourth quarter upset, thanks to Alex Marquez and his game winning lob. The Central Grizzlies had a rough end to the season. They were seeded last after Clovis East and SunnySide High School, who Central defeated twice, ending the season 12-11.
Band
The Central Grizzly Band has won numerous awards and multiple competitions. It came in first place in the Fresno Fair in 2017. The Wind Ensemble is set to perform in Carnegie Hall in the Spring.
Soccer
Central's 2012 men's soccer team earned a regular season record of 24â€"3, the number one seed for the playoffs and started the season with 16 wins in a row. They reached a high of 10 on the ESPN Fab 50 national rankings during the regular season.
Notable alumni
- Carter Hartwig, NFL player, Houston Oilers (class of 1975)
- Tom Goodwin, MLB Player, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, part of the 1988 USA Baseball Gold Medal team, now first base coach of the Boston Red Sox (Class of 1986)
External links
- Central Unified School District official website
- Central High School Alumni Association