The first graduating class of the Saint Paul High School was in 1870, and consisted of two students: Fannie Haynes (the daughter of the teacher), and A. P. Warren.

In 1872, the Saint Paul High School moved to the Lindeke Building at 7th and Jackson streets where it occupied the second floor.

The President of the Board of Education also presented a prize to the one having the highest standing in the class, usually a fine set of Shakespeare's works.

Soon the building on 10th and Minnesota Street became too small, and the corner of Marshall and Lexington Avenues was chosen as the new site.

The adjacent stadium was built in the early 1940s by the WPA (Works Progress Administration), as denoted by a plaque on the brick facade of the stands.

Architectural Artist – JC Trott (employed by the architect) Style – Collegiate Gothic Land purchased – 1909 Designed – 1909–1910 Building Permit Issued – May 31, 1910 Builder – C. Ash Company Construction started – 1910 Ready for occupancy – 1911 (old school dropped from City Directory) Cornerstone laid – April, 1912 (building completed) Flagpole installed – 1914 New gymnasium – 1924 (added to the west side of the school, replacing the old one in the top floor of the middle section; see 1925 yearbook, history of Johnston's career, and spps history document) Stadium – 1940/1943 depending on the source (building permits or spps).

Led by Ellerbe Architects in 1979, the "castle" exterior was removed or overlaid with cement, a pool and other athletic facilities were added, and the interior was gutted and rebuilt.

This resulted in a joke amongst students that it was designed by a prison architect because of the school's rather utilitarian exterior, metal gates, and few windows on ground level.

"[9] Until 2006 a barbed wire fence extended around Griffin Stadium and portions of the school facing Interstate 94 and Lexington contributing to the joke.

[10] A parent-led effort to improve the appearance, function, and sustainability of the building, "Transforming Central," was initiated in 2011.

[21] In addition to Russian, Central has the only Latin language program in the Saint Paul Public Schools District as well.

The Central Concert Band and Orchestra were selected to perform at the 2007 MMEA Mid Winter Clinic.

[22][23][24] Central has produced a long line of talented athletes, the most notable being Major League Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Dave Winfield.

During their perfect season, Central was considered by some to be the best team in the history of Minnesota High School girls basketball.

In addition, the 2006–2007 girls basketball team served as grand marshals for the 2007 Rondo Days parade.

[28] Central High School has a plethora of extracurricular activities including National Honors Society, math team, Debate, Ski club and more.

[30] In 2008, the team faced Highland Park High School at the final round of the Minnesota state debate tournament.

[33] In 2013, Ayaan Natala became the first African-American to reach the final round of the Minnesota State High School League tournament.