Incoming Students 2024 – 2025

Dear Incoming 9th and 10th grade students,

It is my honor and distinct pleasure to welcome you to the Central High School community! The first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year is Monday, August 26, 2024. This page contains information about the most important things to know in preparation for the 2024-2025 school year.

Orientation

All incoming students and families are strongly encouraged to attend our New Student Orientation. This is our official welcome event and it is designed for students and parents/guardians to attend together. Sessions will include an assembly, guided building tours, the opportunity for students to take their ID photo, receive a locker assignment and walk their student schedule. CHS spirit wear and other school store items will be on sale at this time. Orientation Leaders (students in grades 10-12) will guide and answer any questions students might have about high school. New Student Orientation is organized by student last name and will be held on the following dates and times:

  • 286 Transfer Student Orientation: August 14, 9 AM – 11 AM
  • 287 Orientation, Student last names A – F: August 15, 9:00 – 11:30 AM
  • 287 Orientation, Student last names G – K: August 15, 12:30 – 3:00 PM
  • 287 Orientation, Student last names L – Q: August 16, 9:00 – 11:30 AM
  • 287 Orientation, Student last names R – Z: August 16, 12:30 – 3:00 PM

If you or your child cannot attend your assigned orientation session, please select another orientation session to attend.  If you or your child cannot attend any of our orientation sessions, please direct your child to report on the first day of school. All information covered during the August 14, 15 and 16 sessions will be made publicly available on our school website.

Course Selection

During ninth grade, Central students take six courses: English 1, Algebra 1, Biology, World Language 1, World History and a combination of two of the following half-year courses: Art, Music, Theater, and Physical Education. The 9th grade roster is firmly established with limited opportunities for customization. This Spring, we will offer an opportunity for all incoming students to take a math placement test for Algebra 1 Honors, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Honors. Students who do not take a placement test are rostered to Algebra 1.

All Central High School students are required to take a language for two consecutive years. Students must select a language that is new to them; we do not permit students to take a language that is spoken at home.  Incoming ninth graders will also rank world language preferences. Our world language course offerings are Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and Latin. If a student has prior experience learning a language in school, we offer world language placement tests. In the upcoming months you will receive more information about this process.

If you are a tenth grade transfer student, there are more customization options in the student roster. All student schedules are coordinated and approved by our Roster Office. If you did not attend at SDP school for ninth grade, please send a PDF copy of your final transcript to AP Snyder at ahockfield@philasd.org. If you are coming from an SDP school, you do not need to send in a copy of your transcript. In March 2024, AP Snyder will email all 10th grade transfer students information about our course selection process.

Summer Reading

Summer reading is a requirement for all students at Central High School. We do not expect students to begin their summer reading before the end of their 8th grade year. All ninth graders read the same summer reading text. The 24-25 ninth grade summer reading text is Farewell to Manzanar. The 24-25 tenth grade summer reading text is When I was Puerto Rican. 24-25 tenth graders enrolled in English 2 Honors will also read A Small Place.

We are offering an opportunity to pick up a summer reading book on Tuesday, June 18 from 9AM – 3PM. We hope to see you there!

Freshman Programming

We offer a number of unique programming options for our incoming 9th and 10th grade students. More information about these programs will be published to our website in the spring. Stay tuned for information about the following:

  • Bridge Leadership Program
  • Tracy Summer Music Program
  • Tryout and Practice Information for Fall Sports (Boys Varsity Football, Boys JV Football, Girls Field Hockey, Golf, Girls Varsity Tennis, Boys Varsity Soccer, Boys JV Soccer, Girls Varsity Soccer, Co-ed Cross Country, Girls Varsity Volleyball and Girls JV Volleyball)

Thank you,

President Davis