Central High School (Fresno, California) 3.71

Central High School is one of many high schools in Fresno, California. The school has two campuses in the Central Unified School District. The first campus is known as the West Campus, erected in 1922. The second campus, called the East Campus, opened its doors to students in August 1996. Current speculation is that the now Central Unified School District will approve a new high school campus, Central High North Campus, set to open in 2015.Central Union High School: The BeginningOn March 1, 1922, the Central Union High School District was formed. Newly elected board members from the elementary schools had met earlier that year with Walter G. Martin, who would become the new principal. A piece of property on the corner of McKinley Ave. and Dickenson Ave. was purchased from the Charles Mutchler family, which operated a 120-acre farm and dairy at that location.On October 2, 1922, Central Union High School opened for its first term in two temporary buildings. It had four teachers, including principal W.G. Martin, who taught history. Ward R. Miles taught plane geometry, general science, biology and physical education, Maude Starbuck taught algebra, Latin and English, and Darlene McAllister taught Spanish, English, and physical education. Student enrollment was 70 students. By the end of the first school year, enrollment was close to 100 students.By January 1, 1923, construction of a permanent building began. It was considered to be the largest high school in California. It was a two-story brick and stucco building, containing approximately 20 classrooms, a library, offices, and a 750 seat-capacity auditorium.Originally the district included only four grammar school districts: Barstow, Pershing, Roosevelt and Houghton. Later schools, Herndon, Teague, McKinley, and Figarden joined the district.