So in 1968–69, the Champaign Board of Education officially established two district high schools, Central and Centennial.

On April 1, 1997, the taxpayers of Champaign approved a bond issue that included an addition and extensive remodeling to Central High School.

By 2014 the district had purchased farmland on Champaign's north end with the intent of building a new Central high school there.

However, local opposition led to the district in 2016 approving a renovation plan keeping both Central and Centennial in their current locations, while building additions to the two high schools.

Central's renovations were completed in early 2023 at a cost of over $102 million and involved the demolition of multiple historic buildings in the surrounding neighborhood, including the former YMCA and Burnham mansion.