| Central Dauphin High School | |
| Address: | 437 Piketown Rd. |
| City: | Harrisburg |
| State: | Pennsylvania |
| Zipcode: | 17112 |
| Former Name: | Central Dauphin Senior High School |
| School Type: | Public high school |
| Established: | 1955 |
| Locale: | Suburban: Large |
| Sister School: | Central Dauphin East High School |
| School Board: | Central Dauphin School Board |
| District: | Central Dauphin School District |
| Us Nces District Id: | 4205400 |
| Superintendent: | Aaron McConnell |
| Ceeb: | 391645 |
| Us Nces School Id: | 420540001745 |
| President: | Michael Jacobs[1] |
| Chair Label: | Board Representatives |
| Chair: | Mr. Michael Jacobs, Mr. Eric Epstein, Mr. David Doernemann, Mr. Jeff Gordon, Mrs. Lauren Silvers |
| Principal Label: | Head Principal |
| Principal Label1: | Freshman Principal |
| Principal Label2: | Sophomore Principal |
| Principal Label3: | Junior Principal |
| Principal Label4: | Senior Principal |
| Principal: | Dr. Eric Shrader |
| Principal1: | Mr. Joshua Burkhart[2] |
| Principal2: | Mrs. Jennifer Crane |
| Principal3: | Mr. Justin Newkam |
| Principal4: | Ms. Kristin Herb |
| Teaching Staff: | 122.05 (FTE) |
| Grades: | 9-12 |
| Enrollment: | 1,975[3] |
| Enrollment As Of: | 2022-2023 |
| Grade9: | 559 |
| Grade10: | 474 |
| Grade11: | 460 |
| Grade12: | 482 |
| Ratio: | 16.18 |
| Colors: | Green and White |
| Athletics: | Rams (boys), Lady Rams (Girls) |
| Athletics Conference: | PIAA District 3[4] |
| Mascot: | Ram |
| Usnwr Ranking: | 258 in Pennsylvania[5] |
| National Ranking: | 6321 |
| Yearbook: | Centralian |
| Communities: | Lower Paxton, West Hanover,Middle Paxton,Dauphin Boro |
| Feeder Schools: | Central Dauphin Middle School, Linglestown Middle School |
| Website: | Official Website |
Central Dauphin High School is a public high school located in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, it is one of two high schools in the Central Dauphin School District, and the first built in the school district. In the 2017–18 school year, there were 1,707 students at the school.[3]
The school, built in 1955, replaced the former Lower Paxton High School. The school was named Central Dauphin High School, for the school district. Central Dauphin School District was created in 1957, and this merger of several school districts was completed by the opening of Central Dauphin High School.
Between 1955 and 1972, renovations and additions were added to the school, including the science wing, a planetarium, and a new cafeteria. In 2003, the planetarium was named for the school's highly inspirational and influential teacher Dennis Phillippy, however was demolished in 2007.
In the late 1990s, overcrowding in the Central Dauphin School District resulted in a proposal to merge Central Dauphin High School with nearby rival Central Dauphin East High School. The proposal was opposed by Central Dauphin High School and was later voted down by the school board (after its removal in the election the week before). In 2000, the school board voted to build a third high school, but in a sudden turnaround by the school board, it was decided that the district would have only two high schools. A new facility was to be built, and it would be named Central Dauphin High School.
In the 2004–05 school year, the high school moved from its Locust Lane, Lower Paxton Township location to its current Piketown Road, West Hanover Township location. The old building was renovated, and it is now being used as Central Dauphin Middle School. In 2004, former President George W. Bush visited the school, making a speech in the auditorium. Since 1955, the yearbook has been called the Centralian. The school newspaper is called the Rampage.
Central Dauphin High School is one of the largest public high schools in south-central Pennsylvania and holds graduation ceremonies at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Central Dauphin High School offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive sports program which duplicates the sports offered at Central Dauphin East High School. Efforts to consolidate some sports between the two district high schools have been resisted by parents.
Central Dauphin High School has many varsity and junior varsity teams. The Wrestling team has won four straight team championships from 2007–2011 seasons in AAA. The Boys' Volleyball team won the AAA state championship in 2009. Football has won their first AAAA team state championship as of 2011. Girls' soccer won their first AAA title in 2007 followed by a second in 2008. Boys baseball won the schools first state championship in 1997.
The district funds:
Central Dauphin's music program consists of seven bands, four choirs, and three orchestras. Bands include a freshman ensemble, symphonic, wind, two unselect jazz bands, one select jazz ensemble, and a marching band. The choirs include an all-boys choir, one unselect all-girls choir, a select women’s choir, and a mixed ensemble. The three orchestras are freshman, symphonic, and concert. Each part of the music department holds several concerts throughout the school year, including the annual spring musical, and seasonal concerts held in the auditorium.
Students can create new clubs with the principal's approval. As of the 2021–2022 school year the clubs are: