Saint Paul Central High School
| Saint Paul Central High School | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Location | |
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Saint Paul, Minnesota USA |
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| Coordinates | 44°56′58″N 93°8′52″W / 44.94944°N 93.14778°WCoordinates: 44°56′58″N 93°8′52″W / 44.94944°N 93.14778°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | "Many traditions, one school." |
| Established | 1866 |
| School district | Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) |
| Principal | Mary Mackbee |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Number of students |
2236 total enrolled as of 2010–2011 schoolyear; |
| Campus | Urban |
| Color(s) | Red and black |
| Mascot | Minuteman |
| Newspaper | Central High Times |
| Yearbook | CEHISEAN |
| Website | central |
2236 total enrolled as of 2010–2011 schoolyear;
Central High School of Saint Paul is the oldest high school in the state of Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1866 in downtown Saint Paul, Central has educated many leaders in business, government, literature, arts, sciences, and education throughout the state of Minnesota and the United States. Central also has more Rhodes Scholars among its alumni than any other public high school in the U.S., with the most recent scholar, Matthew Landreman, being announced in 2003.
It is also one of the biggest high schools in the state and, as of 2011, the second-largest in the city of Saint Paul, next to Harding Senior High School on the east side of the city. It is also a national Blue Ribbon School.
Central High School has been situated in four locations, beginning with the first building in 1866.
Central High School was founded in 1866 in response to student requests. Before 1866, there were no educational opportunities in Saint Paul beyond grade school. About a dozen students wished to continue their schooling so, in 1866, two rooms were set aside for the "High School" on the third floor of the Franklin School building, located at Broadway and Tenth Streets in downtown Saint Paul. Some people thought that the school was a waste of space. Eugene Foster (known as the "Father of the High School") was the principal, and Mrs. H.M. Haynes was the lone teacher. The first graduating class of the Saint Paul High School was in 1870, and consisted of two students: Fannie Haynes (the daughter of the teacher), and A. P. Warren. The first 2 diplomas were hand printed on sheepskin. Gradually, the classes enrolled in the Franklin Building became too large for the two little rooms to accommodate them.
In 1872, the Saint Paul High School moved to the Lindeke Building at 7th and Jackson streets where it occupied the second floor. That year, graduation exercises were held in the Saint Paul Civic Opera House where they were held until it was destroyed by a fire in 1899. Then the commencement exercises were held in the People's Church until the completion of the Saint Paul Auditorium. In 1872, the graduating class consisted of 12 students: five boys and seven girls.
In 1873, the graduating class of 12 students originated the custom of presenting each senior with a souvenir appropriate to his/her character. For several years, a prize was offered for the best essay: a Webster's Unabridged Dictionary and a holder for it. The President of the Board of Education also presented a prize to the one having the highest standing in the class, usually a fine set of Shakespeare's works.
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