Elkhart Central High School


Elkhart Central High School is a secondary school in Elkhart, Indiana. It is a part of Elkhart Community Schools.

History

In the fall of 1972 when Elkhart High School was split into Elkhart Memorial High School and Elkhart Central High School, the former Elkhart High School building was renamed Elkhart Central High School and, according to the school board minutes, was to continue the traditions of the old Elkhart High School. The Elkhart Central High School building was designed and built by Everett I. Brown and Company of Indianapolis and opened in 1966. It was built to accommodate a schedule and curriculum organized around modular periods. Accordingly, the building features lecture halls, seminar rooms, and departmental office areas. Until 1984, Elkhart Central enrolled only 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. In 1985, 9th graders were added, with the remodeling of the library and additional classroom space. A 16 million dollar addition and renovation project was designed by Fanning/Howey Associates, Inc. in March 1997 to add 16 classrooms, additional office space, new industrial technology laboratories, and a new media center. The entire project expanded the school to approximately. The "new" building dedication ceremonies were held in the fall of 2000. As part of the remodeling, every classroom was wired and equipped for voice, video, and data. Each morning the student-run news show, "NewsCenter," is broadcast with the daily announcements and news.
Other major construction milestones: in 1969 a swimming pool; in 1982 an additional gym, called the "New Gym" or "East Gym"; in 1995 the fieldhouse at Rice Field was doubled in size along with the re-crowning/sodding of the football playing field. The Ronzone track was resurfaced in 1995 and improved again in 2010.
In the fall of 2020, the Elkhart Central name will be retired, and for one year the Elkhart Central building will house Elkhart High School, East Campus. The athletics programs of the former Elkhart Central High School and Elkhart Memorial High School will be merged into one, with a new mascot, school colors, and new fight song.
In the fall of 2021, students in grades 10 through 12 will attend classes on California Road at the former Elkhart Memorial and Elkhart Area Career Center buildings, with the addition of new music rehearsal space and a new building to house technology programs. The Elkhart High School will be divided into six Schools of Study to better prepare students for post-high school careers. Students in grade 9 will attend classes at the former Elkhart Central High School campus on Blazer Boulevard.

Demographics

The demographic breakdown of the 1,641 students enrolled in 2019-2020 was:
59.2% of the students were eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch. For 2019-2020, Elkhart Central was a Title I school.

Notable alumni

Elkhart Central is a member of the Northern Indiana Conference and competes as a class 4A school, except in football where they compete in class 5A. The school colors are Blue & White.

State championships

^ As Elkhart High School, see note above, EHS continues as ECHS