Central-Carroll High School was created in 1959 with the consolidation of Whitesburg High and Roopville High, along with some students who would have attended Mt. Zion or Temple High Schools. At the time, it was called "Central School", and was the largest school in the county, having all 12 grades under one roof. In the late 1960s, the primary grades moved into their own facility and, later, the elementary and middle-school grades did so as well. Today, Central High includes grades 9-12, with around 1100 students enrolled. Because there are several other Central High Schools in Georgia and around the nation, Central became known as "Central of Carrollton". Later the name was changed to "Central of Carroll County" or "Central Carroll" to properly reflect its status as a Carroll County and not a Carrollton City school. To the locals, it is still just "Central High".
Academics
Freshmen at Central begin their high school experience in the Ninth Grade Academy, occupying the upper floors of the three-story education building, completed in 2009. Central students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, but the importance of academics is stressed. Recent administrations have made improving academics and test scores a priority. SAT scores are on the rise and the graduation rate has risen about 6% over the past two years. Central has won many honors in scholastic and literary competitions through the years, including the AA State Championship in One-Act Play and in Debate, and the All-Class Championship in Debate. Central has also featured a strong agricultural program since its inception and the award-winning FFA Club is one of the best in the state.
Arts
The Marching Pride band has always been a strong program at Central, from the first band in 1961 with 36 performing members, to the early 1970s when a visual ensemble was added, bringing the total to over 100 members. In 1973, the Central Majorettes won the NMA National Championship. The program has continued to grow. Since 1998, the Central-Carroll Lion Pride Bands have received state and national recognition under the direction of Neil Ruby. The Marching Pride has won 40+ Overall Grand Championships in the past 20 years in competition against bands from all over Georgia and the southeast. The approximately 180-member band has been featured in internationally televised parades, including the 2004 and 2011 Tournament of Roses Parades, the 2015 Waikiki Holiday Parade, and the 2019 Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade. The band was invited to play at the NAIA College Football National Championship Game in December 2010, representing National ChampionCarroll College, and represented Carroll College again in the 2011 NAIA title game. The main goal of the Pride is to entertain, and their favorite award is "Most Entertaining Band", which they have won many times. Central also has a Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Winterguard, Indoor Drumline, and Jazz Band. The Central High Chorus has recently seen a surge in growth and currently features over 90 students. Central also offers many opportunities in the fine arts and drama.
Athletics
The Central Fighting Lions have won many region titles in football, baseball, softball, boys' and girls' basketball, track and field, and competition cheerleading. They have also won state championships in football, track and field, boys' basketball, and competition cheerleading. The boys' basketball team was State Runner-up in 1964. The school's first state title was in track and field in 1972. The Class of 1988 deserves special recognition. From 1985–1988, this class won AA State Championships in boys' basketball, track and field, and football, and were State Runners-Up in baseball and track and field. The Lions football team won back-to-back State Titles in 1986 and 1987. They compiled an incredible 51–3 record over this four-year period and also contributed to a 28-game winning streak, both of which are still records for any school from Carroll County. The competition cheerleading team won state titles in 2005 and 2007. Central's boys' cross country, football, and softball teams won a Region Championship in 2014. The boys' track and field team won a region championship in 2015. Central currently competes in GHSA Region 5AAAA.
