Central High School (Louisville, Kentucky)
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{{Infobox Secondary school | name = Central High school | logo = | | motto = |"Simply the Best" | established = 1870 | type = Public Secondary | principal = Dr. Dan Withers | students =1,200
Formally known as Louisville Central High School Magnet Career Academy, Central High School is a public high school in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.
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[edit] Overview
Specializing in preparing students for professional careers, Central offers many magnet programs. As an all-magnet school, it has no home district, instead bringing in students from throughout the Jefferson County Public School System.
Not only has Louisville Central's 2007-2008 football team become 3A champions, their basketball team has won 2008's regional basketball championship and is one of two schools in the county attending the sweet sixteen games. Their band featuring the "Yellow Jacket Drumline" and the "Stingettes" majorettes dance team, has become one of the most talented musical ensembles in the region; and also the first to incorporate majorettes in the county.
Louisville Central High School and the rest of the Louisville school system played a part in both integration efforts and the Cold War. In 1957, as many around the world began to take notice of racial problems within the United States, the United States Information Agency produced promotional materials touting "The Louisville Story" as an example of peaceful integration.
In the 1950s, Central High School also won three national basketball high school championships. In 1983, Central High School won the WAVE-TV's High Q Championship. In 2007, Central won the 3A State Football Championship.
Central High School is located at 1130 W. Chestnut Street, and the principal is Dan Withers.
[edit] Magnet programs offered
- Law/Government
- Business
- Accounting
- Computer Technology
- Medical Administration
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Veterinary
- Diagnostics
- Dental
[edit] Racial preference controversy
Until 2000, all high schools in Jefferson County were required to maintain a percentage of African-American students between 15 and 50%. In 2000, a group of black parents sued after their children were denied admission to Central High School. As a result, US District Judge John Heyburn II struck down the use of race-conscious school assignment procedures for Jefferson County magnet and traditional schools such as Central. Admission is now determined through a random lottery.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Muhammad Ali
- Lenny Lyles - 11-season NFL player, mosly with the Baltimore Colts
- Maurice Rabb, Jr.
- Greg Page, former WBA Heavyweight champion
[edit] References
- Dudziak, Mary L., The Louisville Story: Cold War Civil Rights: Race and the Image of American Democracy (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000).
