Course Request Information
Central is the oldest continuously-operating high school in the state of Minnesota, founded in 1886. Central is an icon of innovation, being the first city school to offer the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) World School in 1987.
We strongly recommend students and families work on learning about the courses Central has to offer during the next school year and gather questions to ask their current teachers and counselors. There are new courses being offered!

Course Offerings
Sort by Subject Area
Credits/Term: 1
Planning Requirements:
- Performing Arts
Credits/Term: 1
Planning Requirements: Acting Beginning is a Pre Req for Acting Intermediate.
- Performing Arts
Credits/Term: 1
Planning Requirements: Prerequisite class is Acting Intermediate
- Performing Arts
Credits/Term: 1
Planning Requirements: Biology is a prerequisite for Anatomy and Physiology
- Science
Credits/Term: 1
Planning Requirements:
- Interdisciplinary
Credits/Term: 1
Planning Requirements: AP Art History is taken in 11th or 12th grade.
- Visual Arts
Credits/Term: 1
Planning Requirements: Grades 10-12 only
- Business/ Marketing
Credits/Term: 1
Planning Requirements: AP Computer Science A is taken in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.
- Industrial Technology
Course Request Process
The Central Senior High School Counseling Department has developed the Scheduling Policy to ensure all students have equal access to Central courses. This policy ensures counselors and other staff provide students with required and elective courses, along with participating in specialty programs (IB Diploma Program, IB Middle Years Program, Advanced Placement (AP), AVID, Career Pathways, PSEO, etc.). The year-long schedule is built around the courses requested last spring by students, therefore it can be difficult to change a student’s schedule once it has been created.
Our goal is for students and families to be confident with the courses they want to take, so there is a smoother transition in September by being in the classes students are interested in. You can view the entire Central Schedule Correction Policy here.
Students will be utilizing Academic Planner in Student Portal/Campus to enter in course requests. Academic Planner is not only used for the upcoming school year course requests, but it allows students and families to plan out every year of high school. Don't worry, students are able to make changes to their course plan throughout their high school career!
Student Course Requests for 2027, 2028 & 2029
- Students will learn about course requests for 2026-2027 in Advisory starting March 2.
- Teachers will set aside time in their classes to give course recommendations to students March 2-6 to complete the Grade Level Worksheet in Notability. See COURSE REQUEST MATERIALS tab below.
- Students will enter in course requests into their Student Portal/Campus Academic Planner March 2-6.
- Counselors will be meeting with each student to verify course requests through the end of March and make adjustments as needed.
- Students will be able to review and update course requests before the Academic Planner is closed.
Student Course Requests 2030 - Deadline May 1
- Check the Welcome Letter for the Class 2030 for requesting classes for next year.
- Optional Course Request Night is on April 23 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. There will be a brief presentation about requesting courses at 5:15 pm and 6:00 pm. Teachers will be available to answer any questions and students will be available to help get the course requests into the system. See COURSE REQUEST MATERIALS tab below.
- CURRENT SPPS Students will enter in their course requests into Student Portal/Campus Academic Planner starting April 18.
- NEW SPPS Students will request their classes in the 9th Grade Course Requests Google Form
- Counselors will be following up with students and families on a need-basis.
General Information
Students will be assigned a grade level advisory. Curriculum will center on strategies for high school success and planning for post secondary opportunities.
Central High School offers a variety of academic programs to meet the needs of all students.
These are a sample of the activities offered last year at Central.
Cumulative GPA is used in determining the class rank, Academic Letter Awards and the Senior Honors List.