[3] Among the most well-known alumni are actor Donal Logue from the class of 1984, who starred in the Fox TV sitcom "Grounded for Life" and was Central's ASB president his senior year; professional saxophonist Walter Beasley, a member of the school's Great Spartan Band in the 1970s under the late band director and local jazz legend Jimmie Cannon;[4] Doug Harvey, an umpire in the National Baseball Hall of Fame; former Denver Broncos linebacker Glenn Cadrez and actress Kyle Richards of the class of 1987;[5] and actor/artist H. Michael Wieben, class of 1962, who appeared on and off Broadway.

[11] Central competes in the Imperial Valley League in the California Interscholastic Federation San Diego Section.

Under the direction of Jimmie Cannon from 1966 to 1996, the Great Spartan Band began to travel extensively and in 1972 performed in Mexico City, where it was honored by the Mexican President Luis Echeverría.

The band also traveled to Disney World in Florida in 1995, where it participated in the Magic Kingdom Easter Parade.

[13] The Great Spartan Band was invited by Congressman Bob Filner (California's 51st District) to participate in the 2010 Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC.