Many Traditions, One School
Central is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Capital City, which is home to 287,000 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.
*See description below.Highest GPA: Class of 2009 (10/08)            5.0

SAT DATA
Central scores:
07/08 (94 students)........... Reading-630; Math-628; Writing-600
08/09 (100 students)........... Reading-620; Math-628; Writing-602
07/08 (94 students)........... Reading-630; Math-618; Writing-592

Minnesota scores 09/10:
     Mean verbal-595; Mean math-609; Mean writing-578
National scores 09/10: 
     Mean verbal-501; Mean math-515; Mean writing-493

ACT DATA
Central Composite Averages:
2007-08 (312 students)............ 22.3
2008-09 (315 students)............ 22.1
2009-10 (354 students)............ 22.7
09/10 MN ACT average............. 22.9
09/10 National ACT average...... 21

NATIONAL MERIT COMPETITION
2011 Merit Program:
    Commended Students........... 12
    Semifinalists........... 10
2010 Merit Program:
    Commended Students........... 16
    Semi-Finalists........... 4
2009 Merit Program:
    Commended Students........... 15
     Semi-Finalists........... 9

AP PROGRAM
Number of exams, May 2010........... 624
Students taking exams........... 432 
Subject Areas........... 15 
The passing rate was 62%. 
 

Advanced Placement:  Students are prepared for tests in biology, calculus AB, calculus BC, chemistry, economics-macro, economics-micro, English language & composition, English literature & composition, environmental science, French, government & politics-US, human geography, physics B, physics C-E&M, physics C-Mechanics, statistics, US history, world history.  College or university credit may be awarded to students who test successfully.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM 
Number of exams, May 2008........... 825
Students taking exams........... 394
Passing rate........... 78%
Full Diplomas awarded........... 11
Highest Diploma Points........... 37

Survey of the class of 2010
Students surveyed........... 472
Four-year college........... 62%
Community/Technical college........... 26%
Other........... 8%

Graduation Requirements 
85 quarter credits must be earned in the following areas:

• English – 16 quarters
• Social Studies – 14 quarters, including 4 in American History, 2 in economics, 2 in US government, 4 in world history, and 2 in geography
• Math – 12 quarters, through IM3/Algebra II
• Science – 12 quarters, including 4 in biology
• Physical Education – 2 quarters
• Health – 2 quarters
• FACS/Industrial Tech – 2 quarters
• Fine Arts – 4 quarters
• Electives – 21 quarters

• pass the MN Basic Standards Tests (class of 2009) in reading, math, and writing; or
• pass the MCA II Tests in reading, math, and writing (class of 2010 and beyond);
• complete an online six-year plan that encompasses postsecondary and life plans

Small Learning Communities
Central has a 9th Grade Academy and upper grade level advisories (10, 11, 12) that connect staff and students in small learning communities.  Advisories meet daily for the Central Morning News, and to participate in curriculum that supports the completion of students’ six-year plans.

Academic Specialties

Quest
For over 30 years, Quest classes have combined traditional group learning with individual pursuit of academic interests and artistic talents.  Students are trained to think independently and to learn from each other and from the instructor.  The humanities-based curriculum delves into ancient and modern texts by multiethnic 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.
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.

Advanced Placement
Central High School was awarded a 2008 Siemens Award, given in recognition of the schools that are leading their state in AP participation and performance in science, math and technology, based on data from all schools participating in AP.

College in the Schools (CIS)
Instructors trained by U of M faculty teach English for University credit at the high school

Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program
Students in grades 11 and 12 may enroll in courses at colleges or technical institutes through the MN Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEO).

Other Specialties

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 Grouphas 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. 

Teaching Career Academy
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.

Central also has a rich variety of extracurricular activities including theater, jazz band, honor society, community service activities (Fresh Force, Roots & Shoots), Habitat for Humanities, speech, debate, Science Olympiad, math team, juggling, a yearly multicultural festival, and much more.