Central High Magnet Career Academy

Central High School Magnet Career Academy (MCA) hosts some of the most academically talented students from across the district. Students are selected to attend Central through a competitive admissions process that includes achievement test scores, grade point average (GPA), personal essays, and teacher recommendations. Central has the second-highest number of Governor’s Scholars in the district. Only 30 percent of the freshman applicants are accepted. Central offers a precollege curriculum consisting of magnet programs for students. Central also offers Advanced, Honors, and English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs to help students meet graduation requirements and accelerated studies. Central offers a variety of courses to challenge students at the highest level. 

Student Highlights

• Provides a precollege curriculum that includes ten specialized programs in four areas of concentration: business, law, technology, and health services. Freshman rotation allows sampling of each program.
• Offers certifications in four medical programs
• Offers dual college-credit courses through the University of Louisville (UofL), Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC), and Morehead State University (MSU); offers early college opportunities through the school’s medical programs
• Offers Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC)

Magnet Programs, Academies, and Pathways

• Academy of Innovation: The goal of the Innovative Technology magnet is to produce a well educated student that exhibits a well-rounded skill set in various aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students will be exposed to a number of new technologies that challenge them to program, create, problem-solve, and innovate.

Career Pathways Offered:

• Computer Science
• Cyber Engineering
• Web Development/Administration

• Dental Assisting, EKG Technician (Pre-Med), and Pre-Nursing

Career Pathways Offered:

• Dental Assisting
• Pharmacy Technician
• Pre-Nursing
• Veterinary Assistant

• Finance, Business Management/Entrepreneurship, and Sports Marketing 

Career Pathways Offered:

• Financial Services
• Management and Entrepreneurship
• Marketing

• Law and Government: This career pathway program introduces students to the fields of law, law enforcement, justice administration, and public service. Emphasis may be placed on the Constitution of the United States and the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen and/or a study of law closely mirroring that found in national law school curricula. 
• Montessori: We embrace Montessori principles by establishing a peaceful environment, facilitating purposeful experiences, and building a diverse community that unleashes the natural curiosity and joy of every student to pursue work that is intellectual, creative, socially just, and globally aware. We nurture students as they mature in independence, grow to understand the nobility of work, recognize and address the needs of others, and adapt and contribute to the ever-changing demands of our world.
• Navy JROTC: Focusing on citizenship, character, and leadership, JROTC Programs are partially sponsored by the military services. Emphasis is on community service through partnerships with communities and educational institutions.