Central High School in Aberdeen, South Dakota has an enrollment of approximately 1350 students. Our recently built school at our campus located at 2200 South Roosevelt Street has expanded with the addition of the A-TEC Academy. The A-TEC Academy is a state-of-the-art Career and Technical Education facility. We believe we already have the premier high school campus in the state of South Dakota and the addition of the A-TEC Academy reinforces that belief. In the main high school building, the academic area provides the ultimate learning atmosphere. The Thomas F. Kelly Theatre is an extraordinary fine arts and multi-purpose venue. Golden Eagles Arena is a beautiful and functional high school gymnasium that has already hosted a handful of South Dakota High School Activities Association state championship events. The Clark Swisher Athletic Complex is a unique and special multi-purpose complex located on the Central High School Campus. The complex hosts both university and high school events in football, soccer, and track. We hope to add softball fields and tennis courts in the near future.
The Aberdeen community was recognized as one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People” in 2010 and again in 2011 by Americas Promise Alliance. Central High School has been blessed with several recognitions. Central has been honored with the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement achievement in math and science. This award is given to the top performing high school in the state of South Dakota. Other awards that have been bestowed upon Central High School include the Forte International’s School of the Year, EF Foundation for Foreign Study School of the Year Award, and the Planning for Life Award presented by the U.S. Army. Central High School received a special recognition by the Horatio Alger Association and was listed as one of “America’s Best High Schools” by Redbook Magazine.
Central High School has made a commitment to serving students at an exceptional level we have had considerable success in doing just that. Central High School has had more National Merit Scholarship winners than any other Eastern South Dakota Conference school over the past nine years. Last year’s seniors at Central High School earned over $2,500,000 in scholarships. Several CHS graduates in the past few years have attained acceptance to the military academies, Ivy League universities and other highly prestigious educational institutions.
We are striving to meet our mission of “Empowering all children to succeed in a changing world” by emphasizing relationships, relevance, rigor, and results. Central High School does an outstanding job at meeting the needs of a wide variety of students. Our dedicated staff of over 100 professionals creates a personalized environment that cares for each individual student. The teachers challenge students at high levels and make the learning relevant to their current and future lives. CHS students may earn college credit through the Dual Enrollment Program or one of the many Advanced Placement opportunities available. Students may take classes at the A-TEC Academy to gain Career and Technical Education (CTE) credit and earn National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC). CHS houses the Independent Learning Center to meet the needs of students that desire alternative education opportunities. We have numerous educational options for students with special needs including the award winning approach of our Transition Learning Center (TLC). Few schools can rival the variety and rigor of the Central High School curriculum and programs.
Central's mascot is the Golden Eagle. We have a rich history of athletic success. The Golden Eagles have won numerous ESD and state championships in recent years. Aberdeen Central offers athletic teams for boys in football, basketball, wrestling, track, cross country, tennis, golf, and soccer. We have teams for girls in volleyball, basketball, track, cross country, gymnastics, tennis, golf, competitive cheer, competitive dance, and soccer. Central High School participates in the Eastern South Dakota Athletic Conference, the oldest and most respected conference in South Dakota. Our debate program has recently won several state championships and is listed as one of the top 1% of forensic programs nationally by the National Speech and Debate Association. Our fine arts programs include visual arts, oral interpretation, theatre, one-act play, band, jazz band, orchestra, vocal, vocal jazz, and show choir. They simply are some the best overall programs in the state and they have numerous awards to back that opinion. With over 20 other clubs and activities on campus we have something to offer everyone.
The combination of a caring and dedicated staff, high academic performance, extremely competitive athletic programs, award-winning fine arts programs, a nationally recognized debate program, and numerous other activities, all located at the premier high school campus in the state of South Dakota make Aberdeen Central High School a very special place to be!
Jason Uttermark
Jason Uttermark, Ed. D.
Principal, Aberdeen Central High School