Manchester Central High School

Excellent school. My daughter just graduated this year & they did a great job preparing her for college. I'm sad that the principal retired this year, Mr. Rist was the best principal I have ever met.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall, Central is amazing. It offers rigorous classes for those who are devoted students, and basic classes for those who need extra help, as well as classes for everyone in between! We are amazingly diverse and have students from all over. School spirit has gone down slightly this year due to a change in the grading system, no more homeroom, no more labs for some science classes, and a change in pep rallies, but even with all of these new negatives our school spirit could beat any other school in the state! The only real problem I have with the school is the guidance department. It just may be the least organized and most complicated thing in the world. Most of the people who work in it seem to have no desire to help students and are quite rude. I have never even SEEN my guidance counselor.
--Submitted by a student

Even though they may lack supplies they have no lack of school spirit . Four generations of my family have attended Central and have done well.

I have one son who is currently a sophomore at Central and a daughter who graduated in 2007. She is currently a junior at Georgetown where her teachers are astounded by how well her teachers from Central prepared her. I imagine it is probably the same at Harvard, U Penn, Carnegie-Mellon, Columbia, Brown, RPI, Middlebury, and Stanford where here fellow classmates are enrolled.
--Submitted by a parent

Our teachers and students want very much to do their best and they do despite falling short with textbooks, enough teachers & support staff and very scan supplies. The money would be such a loving boost.
--Submitted by a parent

It believes in its students and helps them achieve their potential
--Submitted by a parent

central is amazing, im a senior this year and was super uneasy about going to an inner city school. But after 1 week i was in love with the school, the fact that its in the inner city makes it unique and it has barely any problems, the teachers aer wonderful the kids are amazing and the avademics are rigorous, they thoroughly prepare you for acceptance in to college. Don't think twice about sending your kids there it will be the best thing you can do for their education!!!!
--Submitted by a student

I have had three children go through Central High School, a high achiever, an average student, and the third was coded learning disabled. As for the extracurricular, two were musical, and one was an athlete. In each case, all of my children absolutely loved Central High School. Their individual needs were met. They were well prepared and accepted into their colleges of choice. They all were very successful in college (#3 still in) Central's staff is excellent. Each was challenged academically to the fullest extent of their ability., The music and athletic programming was top-notched. Most importantly, each learned important life lessons and grew emotionally to be more sensitive, caring human beings as they interacted with diverse cultures and backgrounds. My husband and I were initially concerned about the inner city location, and did consider alternatives. I am so glad we went with Central. It was an outstanding experience.
--Submitted by a parent

I graduted in 2006. I went to Central for two years, but I can tell you one thing. Central is probably the best school in New England. The atmosphere and tradition runs so thick in the school. Academically and athletically Central is the best.
--Submitted by a student

I graduated with the class of 2006 and I have to say Central was a worthwhile experience. I was more than prepared for college academically, but also have a diverse look on life because of the fellow students at the school. The academics are excellent only if the student takes the initiative though. I thought the guidance counselors were adequate, they just won't go out of their way to find you, which is another way students can prepare for college. I was a varsity athlete for 9 seasons and it is obvious Central dominates. I have heard the music program is excellent as well. There is an enormous amount of other activities. John Rist is the best thing that has happened to Central and the construction makes the school much more aesthetically pleasing.
--Submitted by a former student