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Home > High Schools > Forest Hills Central High School > About Central High School

About Central High School

entrance to forest hills central high school

Forest Hills Central High School has long been rated as a top performer in the areas of academic excellence, fine arts, and athletics. This is due to the exceptional accomplishments of our students, staff, and parents. Our reputation for academic excellence continues to thrive and lead Kent County and all of West Michigan. Our students in grades nine through twelve are taught by proven instructors, 80% of whom hold at least a master’s degree. For the second year in a row, based on multiple criteria, Grand Rapids Magazine ranked the Forest Hills Schools as the number one district in Kent County.

Why has our school been so successful? The answer lies in the spirit of cooperation and the partnerships formed between our school, the community, and the parents and students of Forest Hills Central High School. Please contact us if you have specific questions or comments and we will be happy to assist you.

School Overview

Mission Statement:

In partnership with our community, Forest Hills Public Schools will provide all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives.

High School Overview:

2020-21 Enrollment

  • Total Enrollment: 1198
  • Staff: 85
  • Courses: 153 courses are offered in 13 Departments

Achievement:

  • 95% of Forest Hills Central Graduates attend a 2- or 4-year college.
  • 268 students participated in Advanced Placement Testing and 77% received a “3” or higher. 2 graduates became finalist for the National Merit Scholarship Program and 4 were National Merit Commended Students.
  • Our graduates have been awarded over $2,500,000 in scholarship funds.
  • Our students typically score in the top 5 percent of the state in MEAP assessment.

Athletics:

Team Name: Rangers
Colors: Green and White

Annual Education Report

History of Central High School

Central High School

Pride, Tradition and Excellence

Autumn of 1958 marked the beginning of the tradition of academic excellence as Forest Hill High School, home of the Rangers.  Principal Dean VanLandingham led just over 200 students in the ninth and tenth grades with the first graduating class of 102 seniors in 1961.   In 1972, Forest Hills High School was renamed Forest Hills Central High School.

Central High has evolved from an open campus “California” style, composed of separate buildings between which students walked outdoors from one class to another, to the present connected and enclosed modern building.  In the past 8 years Central High has gone through significant renovation, an expanded main entrance, enlarged cafeteria, remodeled athletics stadium, new athletic entrance, new baseball/softball fields, tennis courts and a second turf field.

School Traditions

A few school traditions at Central High are:

Some of the highest standardized test scores in Michigan
Central High for the last four years has led Michigan high schools in the Michigan Merit Examination.

Homecoming
Michigan’s largest high school homecoming parade consisting of over 80 floats/entries and a marching band of over 270 musicians.

Winterfest
 A week’s worth of activities for the most part unique here at Central.  Macho Volleyball, Snow Sculptures and Sign Hanging.  Ending the week with the Winterfest Dance.

America’s Best High Schools
Award given by U.S. News and World Report to the top high schools in the United States. Central High has won this distinction each of the last five years.

Top of the Class, America’s Top High Schools
Award given to schools based on a complicated formula that looks at graduation rates, Advance Placement tests and how well At-Risk students do academically.  Central High has been given this award the last four years straight.

Senior Challenges
Happens three times a year.  Activities are countless and unique.  The educational objective is simple; to have fun and take a needed break from the pressures created at a high performing school.

Recognition Breakfast and State Championship Flag Raisings
Honors teams and athletes who qualify by winning a State Championship.  The flag has flown continuously since November of 2004 honoring 23 state champions (9 teams and 14 individuals)

Recognition Breakfast honors students for a variety of accomplishments (academic and athletic).  We have honored hundreds of students.

Senior Recognition Day
A candlelight ceremony to highlight passage of leadership.  The ceremony is to focus on academic achievement and scholarship of the Senior Class, followed by a video presentation of “Senior Memories.”

Memorial Garden
We have created a beautiful garden with a water feature located just outside our cafeteria that helps students remember those who had their experience at Central end in a tragic way.

Administration since 1961:
1961-1962 Mr. Dean VanLandingham
1963-1964 Mr. Donald Crouse
1965-1969 Mr. Howard Dalman
1970-1977 Mr. William DeJonge
1978-1981 Mr. John Fitzpatrick
1982-1988 Mr. Bert Bleke
1989-1992 Dr. Joanne Patton
1993-1995 Mr. Larry Curtis
1996-1998 Mr. Ron Caniff
1999-2003 Mrs. Kathy Westdorp
2005-2012 Mr. Terry Urquhart
2012-present Mr. Stephen Passinault

Contact Central High School

Central High School
5901 Hall Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546-3849

Office Hours:  M-F, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Phone: (616) 493-8700
Fax: (616) 493-8714
Attendance Line: (616) 493-8712

Please call the main office number for all general inquiries, or email us.