Central High School of Philadelphia: America‘s Second Oldest Public High School
Located in the Logan section of Philadelphia, Central High School stands as a living monument to American public education. Chartered by an Act of Assembly on June 13, 1836, Central opened its doors on October 26, 1838, with four professors and sixty-three students, and today remains the second-oldest continuously operating public high school in the United States—a distinction that places it among the most historic educational institutions in the nation.
A Legacy Forged in History
Central‘s founding was ambitious from the start. Described at its inception as “the crowning glory” of Philadelphia’s public school system and “the worthy apex to a noble pyramid,” the school was Pennsylvania‘s first “high” school. Among its early leaders was Alexander Dallas Bache, the great-great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, who was elected Central’s first President in 1839. The school‘s historical significance is such that both President James K. Polk in 1847 and President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902 addressed its students. Buy fake USA diploma online.
A Unique Power to Grant Degrees
Perhaps Central’s most extraordinary feature lies in a legislative act passed on April 9, 1849. This Act of Assembly granted Central the power to confer academic degrees upon its graduates—a power equal to that possessed by the University of Pennsylvania. To this day, Central remains the only high school in the United States with this authority: qualifying graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts degree alongside their high school diploma. True to this collegiate tradition, Central refers to its principal as the “President” of the school, and graduating classes are numbered sequentially rather than by year—the class of 2025, for instance, is the 284th graduating class.
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Academic Excellence and National Recognition
As a college preparatory magnet school, Central challenges more than 2,300 students from across Philadelphia with a rigorous curriculum featuring extensive Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. The school has earned national acclaim: in 2024, Central received its third National Blue Ribbon School designation from the U.S. Department of Education, having previously been honored in 1987 and 2011—a testament to its sustained excellence. U.S. News & World Report ranks Central third among all high schools in Pennsylvania and 208th nationally.
Notable Alumni and Enduring Impact
Central‘s graduates include art collector Albert C. Barnes, founder of the Barnes Foundation; celebrated artists Thomas Eakins and William Glackens; and generations of leaders across every field. With a vibrant alumni association and a mission rooted in academic rigor and civic responsibility, Central High School continues to prove that a public education can achieve the highest standards of excellence.