High Point Central High School

{{Short description|American public school in North Carolina}} {{more citations needed|date=September 2012}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox school | name = High Point Central High School | logo = High Point Central High School logo.png | established = {{start date and age|1927|p=1}} | ceeb = 341850 | principal = Mike Hettenbach<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pounds |first=Jessie |date=2022-02-25 |title=New principals announced for Northeast, Southeast, and High Point Central high schools |work=Greensboro News & Record |url=https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/new-principals-announced-for-northeast-southeast-and-high-point-central-high-schools/article_5881b6c8-95cd-11ec-aa27-abc0d4f834df.html |url-status=live |access-date=2022-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321163115/https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/new-principals-announced-for-northeast-southeast-and-high-point-central-high-schools/article_5881b6c8-95cd-11ec-aa27-abc0d4f834df.html |archive-date=2022-03-21}}</ref> | type = Public | district = Guilford County Schools | grades = 9–12 | address = 801 Ferndale Blvd | city = High Point, North Carolina | zipcode = 27262 | country = United States | enrollment = 1,007 (2023–2024)<ref name=NCES>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3701920&SchoolPageNum=3&ID=370192000956|title=High Point Central High|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=January 21, 2025|archive-date=November 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160445/https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3701920&SchoolPageNum=3&ID=370192000956|url-status=live}}</ref> | campus_type = Urban | ratio = 12.84<ref name=NCES/> | teaching_staff = 78.42 (FTE)<ref name=NCES/> | yearbook = Pemican | newspaper = Pointer (no longer in publication) | mascot = Bison | colors = Navy, Maroon, and White <br /> {{color box|#072957|border=silver}}{{color box|white|border=silver}}{{color box|#800000|border=silver}} | slogan = "Roll Bison" | website = {{URL|https://hpcentralhs.gcsnc.com/}} | picture = }} '''High Point Central High School''' is a public high school located in High Point, North Carolina. The school has a population of approximately 1,237 (2020–2021) students in 9th–12th grades. The school's offerings include Advanced Placement classes and the International Baccalaureate degree program.

==History== The High Point City Schools were established in 1897, but there was not a distinct high school until "High Point High School" was founded in 1926. The current building was erected in 1927, on what was formerly the High Point city fair grounds, and is the oldest high school in Guilford County.

The school building is an example of Gothic architecture, with three floors and four towers. Charles F. Thomlinson<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles F. Tomlinson |url=https://www.homefurnishingshalloffame.com/charles-f-tomlinson |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame |language=en-US}}</ref> was the chairman of the school board when High Point High School was built. He was the first person to have a vision for what High Point High School should be like. In 1927, T. Wingate Andrews (Superintendent of High Point City Schools) presided over the dedication of the building. In 1968, High Point's William Penn High School closed.<ref>[http://www.highpoint.edu/servicelearning/william-penn-project/ William Penn Project | High Point University | High Point, NC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917014300/http://www.highpoint.edu/servicelearning/william-penn-project/ |date=2020-09-17 }}. Retrieved Sep 16, 2020.</ref> In response to that, a new second high school, T. Wingate Andrews High School would open, ending High Point's era of school segregation.

High Point High School was renamed "High Point Central High School" around 1962, and is so named today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schoolcenter.guilford.k12.nc.us/education/club/club.php?sectionid=10615 |title=School Profile |publisher=High Point Central High School |access-date=2007-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716181036/http://schoolcenter.guilford.k12.nc.us/education/club/club.php?sectionid=10615 |archive-date=2011-07-16 }}</ref>

==Campus==

===Building=== thumb|One of the building's entrances, circa 1960

The current building was completed in 1927 and designed by Greensboro architect Harry Barton, in Collegiate Gothic style. The building was considered the grandest educational building in the state and was modern for its time. The building was decorated in tapestry brick with terracotta architectural ornamentation. The halls on the interior of the building had tile and terrazzo floors, intricate plaster moldings and ceiling medallions with cherubs, fine woodworking and custom cabinetry.

thumb|The school's main building from above, circa 1962

High Point High School was also outfitted with modern technological innovations for its time including a central vacuum system, and an innovative heating and air conditioning system. The three Gothic entrance towers, each four stories high, held an ice bin. Large fans circulated the cool air from the ice bins throughout the school. The melted water was intended to be used in the several water fountains throughout the campus.<ref name=gcsnc>{{cite web |url=http://schoolcenter.gcsnc.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=267441&linkid=nav-menu-container-4-1370822 |title=High Point Central High - School History |access-date=2012-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224120848/http://schoolcenter.gcsnc.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=267441&linkid=nav-menu-container-4-1370822 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }}</ref>

===Grounds=== The grounds of High Point High School were landscaped by prominent landscape architect Earl S. Draper, who had also designed the High Point suburb of Emerywood. The campus had a network of sidewalks, complemented by oak trees and shrubbery. The campus also had hedges surrounding the eastern and northern boundaries of the campus along Ferndale Boulevard and the sports field. A driveway for cars and buses ran along the front of the school and was cased by a grand gateway built of tapestry brick, and cast stone ornamentation. Sadly, much of the cast stone ornamentation was lost over the years to vandalism. The sports ground originally included a tennis court, baseball field, and a track and field. Over the years, it has grown to include a large gymnasium and an expanded tennis court.

===Additions=== In 1957, a new gymnasium was built on the sports ground, while a new cafeteria building was built in the rear courtyard of the main building. In 1962, a three-story addition was added to the northwestern section of the school. This addition provided numerous classrooms and two modern science laboratories: a chemistry lab and a physics lab. In 1975, new windows were installed to replace the energy inefficient ones. The elegant gothic carved doors and transoms were gradually removed from the buildings main entrance in favor of new metal doors from 1977 to 1981.

High Point Central High School was extensively renovated in 2002. A new air conditioning system was installed after several heat waves occurred during the previous years, while the original radiators were scrapped. The ornate plaster ceilings were removed on all floors except for the first floor hallway in front of the theater in favor of drop-down foam ceiling tiles. In 2003, a red awning was installed over the entrance of tower four. An aluminum covered walkway was also installed to provide shelter to the elementary students walking from the neighboring Tomlinson Montessori School, to the cafeteria for their lunch. In the late 2000s Tomlinson Montessori vacated their school building and High Point Central moved several classes to the building. The academy at Central now occupies the Tomlinson Building. In 2010, funds were appropriated for the construction of a new addition and renovations to the 1957 gymnasium. The addition of a new cafeteria was completed in 2017, and a new media center now occupies the old cafeteria building.

==Academics== {{unreferenced section|date=September 2023}} High Point Central High is home to an International Baccalaureate program and Advanced Placement program. These programs offer students courses and college credit. Honors courses and College preparation courses are also offered as well. High Point Central High School's IB program is the only IB program offered in High Point and was established in 1995. AP courses have been offered at High Point Central since the 1970s.

==Notable alumni== * Heather Bergsma {{mdash}} American speed skater, bronze medalist at the 2018 Winter Olympics in women's team pursuit, gold medalist at World Sprint and World Single Distances Championships<ref>Mills, Jeff. (21 Feb 2018). [https://www.greensboro.com/sports/high-school/heather-richardson-bergsma-s-long-pursuit-captures-olympic-bronze-medal/article_ff8112a5-0c8e-540c-a7d2-86829c79deb6.html Heather Richardson Bergsma's long pursuit captures Olympic bronze medal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408050637/https://www.greensboro.com/sports/high-school/heather-richardson-bergsma-s-long-pursuit-captures-olympic-bronze-medal/article_ff8112a5-0c8e-540c-a7d2-86829c79deb6.html |date=2019-04-08 }}. ''Greensboro News & Record''. Retrieved 8 April 2019.</ref> * James Betterson {{mdash}} former NFL running back<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BettJa00.htm James Betterson Stats] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411095754/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BettJa00.htm |date=2019-04-11 }}. ''Pro-Football-Reference''. Retrieved 20 February 2019.</ref> * James H. Burnley IV {{mdash}} politician and lawyer<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/10/us/man-in-the-news-james-horace-burnley-4th-tough-cabinet-nominee.html MAN IN THE NEWS: James Horace Burnley 4th; TOUGH CABINET NOMINEE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408050633/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/10/us/man-in-the-news-james-horace-burnley-4th-tough-cabinet-nominee.html |date=2019-04-08 }}. Retrieved 8 April 2019.</ref> * Tamara Clark {{mdash}} American track and field sprinter, gold medalist at 2023 World Championships in the women's 4x100 metres relay<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harnden |first1=Danny |title=High Point Central track star running for more state championships |url=https://myfox8.com/sports/high-point-central-track-star-running-for-more-state-championships/ |website=FOX8 WGHP |date=17 May 2017}}</ref> * Dick Culler {{mdash}} former MLB shortstop<ref>[http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=10389 Dick Culler Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801192022/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=10389 |date=2020-08-01 }}. ''The Baseball Cube''. Retrieved 20 February 2019.</ref> * Butch Estes {{mdash}} men's college basketball head coach<ref>[https://hpenews.com/news/12335/hp-central-hall-of-fame-set-to-add-13-legends/ HP Central Hall of Fame set to add 13 legends]{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}. ''hpenews.com''. Retrieved Aug 14, 2020.</ref> * Anthony Dean Griffey {{mdash}} opera singer<ref>[https://www.greensboro.com/golden-throat-high-point-native-to-sing-at-olympics-anthony/article_2a9d55a2-27d5-5c78-9325-d7fd492793aa.html GOLDEN THROAT: High Point Native To Sing At Olympics/Anthony Dean Griffey Is One Of Four Soloists In An International Choir.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408050633/https://www.greensboro.com/golden-throat-high-point-native-to-sing-at-olympics-anthony/article_2a9d55a2-27d5-5c78-9325-d7fd492793aa.html |date=2019-04-08 }} Retrieved 8 April 2019.</ref> * J. D. Hayworth {{mdash}} conservative political commentator, author, and former Representative of Arizona's 5th and 6th congressional districts<ref>{{cite news |url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/H000413/ |title=Members of Congress / J.D. Hayworth |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=2021-11-24 |archive-date=2019-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221165630/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/H000413/}}</ref> * Ray Hayworth {{mdash}} former MLB catcher, 1935 World Series champion with the Detroit Tigers<ref>[https://hpcbisonathletics.bigteams.com/main/alumnitr High Point Central High School Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408050636/https://hpcbisonathletics.bigteams.com/main/alumnitr |date=2019-04-08 }}. Retrieved 8 April 2019.</ref> * Sammy Johnson {{mdash}} former NFL running back<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnSa00.htm Sammy Johnson Stats] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327190425/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnSa00.htm |date=2019-03-27 }}. ''Pro-Football-Reference''. Retrieved 20 February 2019.</ref> *The Lucas Bros {{mdash}} Academy Award-nominated writers and producers of ''Judas and the Black Messiah''<ref>{{cite web|last=NJ.com|first=Amy Kuperinsky {{!}} NJ Advance Media for|date=2021-02-28|title=The Lucas Brothers wrote 'Judas and the Black Messiah.' The N.J. duo is just getting started.|url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/02/the-lucas-brothers-wrote-judas-and-the-black-messiah-the-nj-duo-is-just-getting-started.html|access-date=2021-08-28|website=nj|language=en|archive-date=2021-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828220827/https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2021/02/the-lucas-brothers-wrote-judas-and-the-black-messiah-the-nj-duo-is-just-getting-started.html|url-status=live}}</ref> * Jenn Lyon {{mdash}} actress<ref>[https://www.greensboro.com/blogs/gotriad_extra/high-point-native-co-stars-in-new-tnt-comedy-drama/article_af3fb801-9726-5c5e-a2e6-c24e27a2ba76.html High Point native co-stars in new TNT comedy drama 'Claws'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408050635/https://www.greensboro.com/blogs/gotriad_extra/high-point-native-co-stars-in-new-tnt-comedy-drama/article_af3fb801-9726-5c5e-a2e6-c24e27a2ba76.html |date=2019-04-08 }}. Retrieved 8 April 2019.</ref> * Germaine Pratt {{mdash}} NFL linebacker<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PratGe00.htm Germaine Pratt Stats] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918145758/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PratGe00.htm |date=2020-09-18 }}. ''Pro-Football-Reference''. Retrieved Jul 28, 2020.</ref> * Tony Shaver {{mdash}} men's college basketball head coach<ref>[https://tribeathletics.com/news/2016/10/20/mens-basketball-w-ms-tony-shaver-earns-hall-of-fame-nod-at-high-point-central.aspx W&M's Tony Shaver Earns Hall of Fame Nod at High Point Central] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108225013/http://www.tribeathletics.com/news/2016/10/20/mens-basketball-w-ms-tony-shaver-earns-hall-of-fame-nod-at-high-point-central.aspx |date=2016-11-08 }}. ''tribeathletics.com''. Retrieved Aug 11, 2020.</ref> * Corbin Waller {{mdash}} former professional soccer player<ref>[https://cofcsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=988 Corbin Waller College of Charleston Men's Soccer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307173832/https://cofcsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=988 |date=2019-03-07 }}. ''cofcsports.com'' Retrieved 6 March 2019.</ref> * Tim Ward {{mdash}} NFL defensive end, Super Bowl LIV champion with the Kansas City Chiefs * Drew Weaver {{mdash}} professional golfer, played on the PGA Tour<ref>[https://hokiesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2681 Drew Weaver Virginia Tech Men's Golf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307173830/https://hokiesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2681 |date=2019-03-07 }}. ''hokiesports.com''. Retrieved 6 March 2019.</ref> * Harry Williamson {{mdash}} American middle-distance track runner, made the Olympic final of the 800 metres at the 1936 Summer Olympics<ref>[http://ncpreptrack.org/OlympiansFromNC.html North Carolina high school athletes who later became Olympians] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307112324/http://ncpreptrack.org/OlympiansFromNC.html |date=2019-03-07 }}. ''NCPrepTrack.com''. Retrieved Aug 14, 2020.</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} * [https://hpcentralhs.gcsnc.com/ Official website]

{{authority control}}

Category:High Point Central High School alumni Category:Public high schools in North Carolina Category:Educational institutions established in 1897 Category:International Baccalaureate schools in North Carolina Category:Schools in Guilford County, North Carolina Category:Buildings and structures in High Point, North Carolina Category:1897 establishments in North Carolina