St. Paul Central High School

1998 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence

2007-2008 Profile

Central High School is the oldest high school in the state of Minnesota.  Its many rich traditions, including academic excellence, are widely acclaimed and copied throughout the state.  Founded in 1852 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 prides itself in having had more Rhodes Scholars than any other public high school in this country with our most recent scholar being announced in 2003.  Central is a model for public education serving diverse populations.

Many Traditions, One School
Central is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Capital City, which is home to 270,000 people.  Central has the largest enrollment of the seven Saint Paul public high schools.  Students in Saint Paul can attend any one of the seven. 

GRADE POINT DETERMINATION*

*Students may take up to 6 courses per semester and all grades earned in years 9-12 are used for GPA and class rank determinations.
**All grades from courses designated as honors will be figured for GPA via a 1.25 multiplier effect, e.g. an “A” in an honors course will be multiplied by 1.25 to yield a weighted grade point of 5.0: (4 x 1.25 = 5.0).

Weighted honor points are earned in the following courses:

• International Baccalaureate (IB)*: 46 IB courses;
• Quest*: 25 Quest honors courses;
• Advanced Placement (AP):  11 AP courses
• Language classes:  Chinese, French, German, Latin, Russian and Spanish are offered, levels III through VI are awarded honor points;
• College in the Schools (CIS):  Instructors trained by U of M faculty teach English for University credit at the high school;
• PSEO: Students in grades 11 and 12 may enroll in courses at colleges or technical institutes through the MN Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program.
  Highest GPA: Class of 2008 (10/07)            4.98

PSAT DATA
  Juniors taking PSAT 05/06........... 163
  Mean reading score........... 54.8
  Mean math score........... 54.2
  Mean writing skills score..........55

SAT DATA
Central scores:
04/05 (115 students)........... Mean verbal-619; Mean math-603
05/06 (90 students)........... Reading-622; Math-604; Writing-590
06/07 (100 students)........... Reading-625; Math-626; Writing-602

Minnesota scores 06/07:
     Mean verbal-596; Mean math-603; Mean writing-577
National scores 06/07:
     Mean verbal-502; Mean math-515; Mean writing-494

ACT DATA
Central Composite Averages:
2003-04 (276 students)........... 22.7
2004-05 (294 students)........... 23
2005-06 (266 students)........... 22.3
2006-07 (282 students)........... 22.5
06/07 MN ACT average)........... 22.5

NATIONAL MERIT COMPETITION
2008 Merit Program:
    Commended Students........... 14
    Semi-Finalists........... 8
2007 Merit Program:
    Commended Students........... 13
     Semi-Finalists........... 7
2006 Merit Program:
   Commended Students........... 9
   Semi-Finalists...........11

AP PROGRAM
Number of exams, May 2007........... 326
  190 students tested in 17 subject areas.  The passing rate was 79%.

Advanced Placement:  Students are prepared for tests in calculus I and II, biology, chemistry, physics, economics, English lit & composition, history, art history, and environmental science.  College or university credit may be awarded to students who test successfully.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM
Number of exams, May 2007........... 433
Students taking exams........... 193
Passing rate........... 83%
Full Diplomas awarded........... 16
Highest Diploma Points........... 37

Survey of the class of 2007
Students surveyed........... 399
Four-year college........... 65%
Community/Technical college........... 28%
Working........... 6%
Military...........1%

Graduation Requirements
42.5 credits are required for graduation, and students must pass the Minnesota Basic Skills Tests in Reading, Math, and Writing.  The 42.5 credits must be earned in the following areas:

• English – 8
• Social Studies – 7 (including 2 American History)
• Math – 6 (through IM3 or above)
• Science – 6
• Physical Education – 1
• Health – 1
• FACS/Industrial Tech - 1
• Electives – 10.5
• Fine Arts – 2

Students are also guided through an online six-year plan, encompassing high school and post secondary education and life plans.

Small Learning Communities
Central has established a 9th Grade Academy and seven “Centers of Excellence” to connect staff and students in small learning communities based on common interests:  Humanities; International Studies; Math, Science & Technology; Human & Environmental Studies; Arts; Justice, Law & Government; and Kinesthetics & Recreation.  The centers meet in advisory daily and come together for large group activities during the school year. Students earn one elective credit per year for their work in advisory

Academic Specialties

Quest
The Quest program for academically gifted/talented and highly motivated students combines traditional group learning with individual pursuit of academic interests and artistic talents.  Students may select from a variety of semester- or year-long courses to fulfill English or social studies requirements.  In its 26th year, Quest’s aim is to challenge students academically through the humanities to think independently and to learn from each other and from the instructor.  The curriculum delves into ancient and modern texts by multi-ethnic authors of both genders.  Quest classes stress analysis and synthesis of ideas as well as critical thinking processes articulated in written and oral assignments

International Baccalaureate
The IB program for 11th and 12th graders is a global pre-university program that provides an interdisciplinary curriculum and incorporates multi-cultural perspectives and internationally-based standards of achievement. IB and pre-IB courses develop and refine higher level thinking skills, writing techniques and oral communications. Central offers the following IB courses/exams:  Chinese (Mandarin); French; German; Latin; Spanish; Russian; English; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Math Methods; Math High Level; European History; History of the Americas; Economics; Philosophy; Art/Design; Music; and Theory of Knowledge.  Central scores have consistently been above average for IB students throughout the world.  College and university credit may be awarded to students who test successfully.  In 2005, 404 IB exams were taken at Central and 16 full IB diplomas were awarded.

Media Communications
Central has a dedicated recording studio.  In the audio studio, musicians, singers and technicians rehearse daily to prepare, perform, and record original compositions with state-of-the-art equipment.  In the TV studio, broadcast journalism students produce CMN, the Central Morning News.

Performing Arts
Experience is available in acting, band, choir, jazz band and orchestra.  Central’s Touring Theater Group has won many honors and awards, including special recognition from the state legislature and the Mayor’s Public Art Award. Vocalists and instrumentalists in Central’s Music Department perform throughout the school year. Central musicians have a tradition of first place awards and superior ratings at local, state and national festivals and competitions. 

Visual Arts
The visual arts department provides a solid introduction to the formal, technical, and expressive qualities of several art media.  After completing introductory courses, many students continue work focusing on ceramics, drawing, jewelry/sculpture, photography, paining, and art history in upper level, honors, IB and AP courses.  Central’s visual artists participate in several juried exhibits throughout the year, including an end-of-the-year exhibit put on in partnership with Concordia University.

Building Technology Academy
BTA is an experientially –based program which seeks to raise awareness of craft and management careers within the construction field and to provide positive hands-on experiences.  Started in 1997 and supported by an active Advisory Board, the program is designed to provide students with solid academic skills and state-of-the-art construction experiences.

Teaching Career Academy
In partnership with the Hamline Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, this Academy encourages and prepares students to consider and pursue a teaching career by providing a rigorous, standards-based curriculum, offering field experiences; and linking students to post-secondary opportunities.

Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities at Central support optimal youth development and engage every segment of the school’s diverse student population.  Central’s athletic program includes swimming, tennis, football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, badminton, wrestling, gymnastics, track and field and cross-country running and skiing.  Central teams consistently participate in post-season competition for regional and state championships.