About Central High
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A Rich Heritage
Central High, with roots dating back to Omaha's first all-grade public school in 1859, is a testament to the city's commitment to education. The journey continued with establishing a dedicated high school building in 1871, a building that would evolve and shape the educational landscape of Omaha.
From the iconic tower that once graced the school's skyline to the innovative additions like the translucent dome over the courtyard, Central High School has a fascinating history. Noteworthy events, such as the 1876 demonstration of electric lights from the tower, echo through the corridors, connecting the past to the present.
Over the years, Central underwent transformative changes, addressing challenges like overcrowding and ventilation. The construction of the present-day Central High School in 1900 marked a new chapter, with subsequent renovations in 1920, 1981-82, 2005, and 2019.
Academic Excellence and Innovation
Central High's commitment to academics is unwavering. With a rigorous curriculum, including over seventy IB, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment courses, the school continues to prepare students for success in college and beyond. The 2019 addition of a $19.3 million theater, arts, and music wing reflects a dedicated alumni base who helped raise the funds to make the addition possible.
Beyond academics, Central High is home to numerous clubs and activities. Read more about them on our activities page.
In addition to our comprehensive academic offerings, Central High School proudly offers three distinct pathways that allow students to tailor their educational journey to their passions and career aspirations:
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STEM
Leadership and Global Studies Pathway
Global Arts Pathway
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When asked what our “specialty” or “theme” is we will tell you, without hesitation . . . “Academics”. We provide a quality education that includes:
- The Register, Central's student newspaper since 1886, was officially declared the oldest continuously published newspaper west of the Mississippi
- the second chapter of National Honor Society in 1921. Our principal created the idea of NDS, but was unable to attend the convention so we had to settle for the beta chapter
- the Student Council began in 1914
- ROTC was established in 1892-93 and is still going strong today
- an International Baccalaureate World School that offers over seventy IB, Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses
- a rigorous English curriculum with an emphasis in classic literature and writing (Stylebook) that prepares students for college and beyond
- a broad World Language department that includes Spanish, French, German, and Chinese
- an energetic Performing Arts department that continues to stand out on the local, state and national level including the Road Show, the school talent show since 1915
- a nationally recognized Marketing program
- a reputation of civic consciousness
- over 40 clubs and activities
- and, a history of building strong athletes
Central High History
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Central teachers and students occasionally encounter visitors to the building who have wandered in to explore what they believe to be Nebraska's first territorial capital. Despite Central's imposing exterior, though, it was never the territorial capital but, instead, is the site of the first capitol.
Central traces its beginning to Omaha's first all-grade public school, opened in 1859 by the Superintendent of Education, Howard Kennedy. But it was another twelve years before the fledgling school district actually constructed a separate high school. In 1869, the Nebraska Legislature donated the old capitol building to 21st and Capitol to Omaha on the condition that it be used for a high school. That building never knew service as a school building, however. It was declared unsafe and was torn down in 1870 to make way for the new high school, which began in the fall of 1870 and was completed in 1871.
This red brick building faced east and consisted of the main structure with north and south wings and a 150-foot spire that dominated the horizon. The school had four stories and a basement. This Omaha High School, destined to become known as Central High School, was a source of much pride to Omahans. Important visitors to the city were certain to be given a tour of the school. That included President William Howard Taft in 1911, who, according to reports, climbed the tower for a better view of the city. From its vantage point on the hill, Central High School, even then, was at the center of the growing city's activity. On July 4th, 1876, for example, electrical engineers wired the school's tower to give Omaha its first demonstration of electric lights. Before the comfort of air conditioning, local residents were known to sleep out on the Central lawn for relief from the heat on oppressive summer nights.
By 1897, overcrowding and inadequate ventilation became serious problems for the school, and the board of education approved the construction of a new, larger building. The cornerstone for that building, the present-day Central High School, was laid on November 16th, 1900. The builders began with the east side of the new school, and from 1900 to 1912, the school grew, one side at a time, each section constructed around the original tower building. Finally, that tower building itself was demolished and removed before the fourth side (the north side) was added. Kate McHugh, principal at the time, insisted on the removal of the old building's heating and ventilating plant to create a courtyard at the center of the square structure.
Central's grounds received extensive revamping in 1920. Prompted by complaints from Omaha motorists about the steep incline of Dodge Street, city officials initiated plans to lower the grade of the busy street. The work closed traffic for more than a year and left Central on a cliff with a 20-foot drop. New terraces and flights of stairs provided the campus with its present look.
The school board approved the addition of a gym and auditorium wing to the north side of the building in 1925. Prior to that time, the basketball teams played their games in a gym on the fourth floor, where the cafeteria was located at that time, and thespians performed on stage in a tiny auditorium that has since been transformed into a classroom (room 145) behind the Wall of Fame. In 1981-82, a large renovation project was completed while school was in session. Part of this renovation included workers using a helicopter to lower supports in place for a translucent dome that would cover the courtyard (as it is today).
Central High had another renovation in 2005 that saw the addition of air conditioning, a new gym, gym lobby, and the football and track stadium that overlooks downtown Omaha, proudly recognized Seeman Stadium. The most recent and recognizable change to Central High is the addition of the arts wing on the east side of the building, looking down Capitol Street; this vast addition was added in 2019 to include a new library, vocal and instrumental classrooms, art classrooms, and the black box theater.
Central's Principals
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- Dionne Kirksey, 2021-present
- Ed Bennett, 2013-2021
- Keith Bigsby, 2010-2013
- Gregory Emmel, 2006–2010
- Jerry F. Bexten, 2002–2006
- Gary L. Thompson, 1995–2002
- Gaylord “Doc” Moller, 1968–1995
- J. Arthur Nelson, 1944–1968
- Fred Hill, 1939–1944
- Joseph G. Masters, 1915–1939
- Clayton Reed, 1914–1915
- Kate McHugh, 1911–1914
- E. U. Graff, 1908–1911
- A. H. Waterhouse, 1899–1908
- Irwen Leviston, 1896–1899
- Homer Lewis, 1882–1896
- Charles Hine, 1881–1882
- C. H. Crawford, 1877–1881
- W. H. Merritt, 1875–1877
- John Kellom, 1870–1875