Central High School (Washington, D.C.)

Central High School (Washington, D.C.) is a historic public high school located in the Cardozo neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C.. The school has a rich history, with notable alumni including Thurgood Marshall, Charles Hamilton Houston, and Robert Moses. Central High School has been a part of the District of Columbia Public Schools system since its founding, and has been affiliated with organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Washington Teachers' Union. The school has also been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and the District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office.

● History

The history of Central High School dates back to 1870, when it was founded as a Preparatory High School for Colored Youth. The school was established by the Freedmen's Bureau and the American Missionary Association, with the goal of providing education to African American students in the District of Columbia. Over the years, the school has undergone several transformations, including a name change to M Street High School in 1891 and later to Dunbar High School in 1916. The school has been attended by notable figures such as Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, and Eleanor Holmes Norton, who have gone on to attend institutions such as Howard University, Harvard University, and Yale University. Central High School has also been involved in significant events, including the Brown v. Board of Education case, which was argued by Thurgood Marshall and James Nabrit Jr. before the United States Supreme Court.

● Campus

The campus of Central High School is located in the Cardozo neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C., near the Shaw and Columbia Heights neighborhoods. The school is situated near several notable landmarks, including the Howard University Hospital, the Washington Hospital Center, and the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Park. The campus is also close to several Metrorail stations, including the Shaw–Howard University station and the Columbia Heights station. The school has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including a major renovation in the 1970s and a new construction project in the 2000s, which was funded by the District of Columbia Public Schools and the Washington, D.C. City Council. The campus is also home to several organizations, including the Central High School Alumni Association and the Parent-Teacher Association.

● Academics

The academics at Central High School are rigorous and diverse, with a range of courses and programs available to students. The school offers Advanced Placement courses in subjects such as English literature, mathematics, and science, as well as International Baccalaureate programs in history, geography, and foreign languages. Students at Central High School have gone on to attend top universities such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities such as Howard University and Morehouse College. The school has also been recognized for its programs in STEM education, including partnerships with organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the NASA.

● Extracurricular Activities

The extracurricular activities at Central High School are diverse and vibrant, with a range of clubs, sports teams, and organizations available to students. The school has a strong athletics program, with teams competing in the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association and the Public Charter School Athletic Association. Students at Central High School have also been involved in organizations such as the National Honor Society, the Debate Team, and the School Newspaper, which have been recognized by organizations such as the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association. The school has also hosted events such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition and the Black History Month Celebration, which have been attended by notable figures such as Jesse Jackson and Maxine Waters.

● Notable Alumni

The notable alumni of Central High School include a range of distinguished individuals, such as Thurgood Marshall, Charles Hamilton Houston, and Robert Moses. Other notable alumni include Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, and Eleanor Holmes Norton, who have gone on to achieve success in fields such as law, medicine, and politics. Alumni of Central High School have also been recognized for their achievements, including Pulitzer Prize winners such as Sarah Kendzior and Glenn Greenwald, as well as MacArthur Fellowship winners such as Angela Davis and Cornel West. The school has also been attended by notable figures such as Shirley Chisholm, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and John Conyers, who have gone on to serve in the United States Congress and other government institutions. Category:High schools in Washington, D.C.