This tradition started shortly after the school's founding when it was common to have two graduating classes per year – one in January and one in June.

Central's founders made an especially concerted effort to avoid educating students in the manner of private academies of the day, where classical languages and literature were of paramount importance.

[8] In November 1839, Alexander Dallas Bache, great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin, and Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, was elected the first President of Central High School.

"[10] In accordance with this Act, the Board of Controllers on September 11, 1849, authorized the conferring of appropriate degrees upon graduates of Central High.

[8] In September 1854, the school transferred to a new building, located at the southeast corner of Broad and Green Streets.

[8] During the formal dedication on November 22, 1902, Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, addressed the students.

On August 7, 1975, U.S. District Court Judge Clarence C. Newcomer ruled that Central must admit academically qualified girls starting in the fall term of 1975.

[14][15] In August 1983, Judge William M. Marutani of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, ruled that the single-sex admission policy was unconstitutional.

The Board of Education voted not to appeal the legal decision, thereby admitting girls to Central High School.