Forsyth Central High School

Forsyth Central High School has an approximate enrollment of 1,941 (as of spring 2017). Most of its students are of Caucasian, and Hispanic origin, with African-American students the third most prominent, and Asian students the fourth. Students are mainly drawn from Lakeside, Little Mill and Otwell Middle Schools; however, it is common for students to transfer out of district in order to attend Forsyth Central High.

Forsyth Central High has developed a magnet school status because of its highly competitive STEM program, exceptionally high marks on school atmosphere surveys as well as its many award-winning clubs and-extra curricular activities.

Forsyth Central High School offers an extensive assortment of Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment options, an honors mentorship program, and a state certified STEM program. Forsyth Central High was certified during the 2014-2015 school year and is the only school in Forsyth County to offer a legitimate STEM program. The STEM program earned national certification in 2018. The program requires students to fulfill several strict requirements each year. They must maintain a minimum of a 3.5 overall GPA, and a 3.5 GPA in all STEM classes. STEM classes are separate and specialized relative to other AP or honor level courses. All STEM students must also complete a research project by their senior year in order to graduate. An acceptable research project is conducted exactly as a professional research project, complete with a grant proposal and full documentation of all results and procedures. Another requirement of earning a STEM diploma is competing in an authorized co-curricular activity or competition each semester.

Forsyth Central High School has many extra curricular activities, including Academic Bowl, Bass Fishing Club, Beta Club (10-12 Grades), Chamber Singers, Colorguard, Winterguard, Dance Team, DECA, Drama Club, Dungeons and Disports, Euro Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Family Career Community Leaders of America, FCHS Literary Magazine, FLOOD, Forsyth Central Indoor Drumline, Garden Club, Health Occupation Students of America, Humane Society, Interact Club, International Club, Junior Civitan, Key Club, Flash of Crimson Marching Band, Math Team, Mock Trial Team, Model UN, Mu Alpha Theta, NABT Bio Club, National Art Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Native Speakers Club, Newspaper - Central Way, Robotics Club, Science Olympiad, Student Gay Alliance, Simple Charity, Skills USA Club, SmART Club, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council (Student Ambassadors), SWITCH, Rocketry, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Technology Student Association, Ultimate Frisbee, VEX, Boys Volleyball, Y-Club, and Yearbook Club.

The Flash of Crimson Marching Band is based in Forsyth Central High School, and led by Tom Tucker and Dan Grass. The Flash of Crimson has won Class Champion (AA0 three years in a row (2008, 2009, 2010) and were 8th place finalists at Bands of America Super Regional in Atlanta, Georgia in 2009. They also traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in BOA Grand Nationals under the direction of former director John Mashburn. They placed 29th out of 94 bands. In 2016 they won the St. Pius X "Lions Den" invitational performance. In 2018, The Flash of Crimson won 3 competitions (The Wolverine Classic Band Competition, The Golden River Marching Competition, and The St. Pius Invitational) for the first time in 20 years with their show "Cosmic Adventures." The Flash of Crimson is considered one of the greatest bands in the southeast, and former band director John Mashburn is one of the nation's elite directors.

The school is also known for its world-class indoor drumline. They attended the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio in 2012, where they placed as the 8th high school in the world. Previously they placed 11th in 2010 and 9th in 2009. In 2017 they returned to the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio and placed 2nd among A-Class winds groups.

Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Micah Owings, played baseball at Forsyth Central. Cleveland Indian's right-handed pitcher, Ethan Hankins also played baseball at Forsyth Central. The school currently competes in Region 6-AAAA (Area 3 A-AAAAA for lacrosse).[4] The school has played in the region since 2002, with the exception of the period between fall 2006 and spring 2008, when Central was part of Region 7-AAAAA.[5][6]

The Bulldog football team recently finished with a 2-8-0 record.
The Bulldog basketball team recently finished with a best in the county 15-11-0 record.
The Bulldog baseball team recently finished with a best in the county 22-9-1 record. The baseball team also ended the season ranked 8th in the state.
The Bulldog Varsity volleyball team recently advanced to region for the first time since 2008.
The Bulldog competition cheer ended at top 1000 in state.

Forsyth Central's Theatre Department is currently headed by Kevin Whitley. The Theatre Department has won 18 Regional One Act Competitions (91, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 08, 09, 10, 12, 14) and 8 State Competitions (94, 95, 96, 97, 00, 02, 04, 05). The elite performance group from the FCHS Theatre Department is known as the Masquers (formerly Maskers, or Portable Players). Their most notable alumni is Kelli Giddish, who plays a main character on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.

Forsyth Central's Bulldog Engine Team competes in a timed competition put on by the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine challenge where they compete to completely disassemble and reassemble a Chevy 350 small block engine. They recently won the Skills USA championship, they are the four time state champion (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019), and is currently ranked #1 in the nation. They recently posted a record time of 15:05 and a national placement time of 16:13.

Forsyth Central's automotive program has sent two seniors each year to compete in the National Automotive Technology Competition in New York City. Where they have finished top ten in the nation 6 of the last 7 years. In 2019 Mason Allen and Mason Barnett placed 3rd in the nation, both winning over $65,000 in scholarships to various technical schools as well as a large selection of Snapon tools.

• Kelli Giddish, actress (most notably for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)
• Ethan Hankins, professional baseball player
• Micah Owings, former professional baseball player; current free agent (Arizona Diamondbacks)
• Glenn Sutko, former professional baseball player (Cincinnati Reds)
• Wynn Everett, actress (Mind Games)

• Forsyth Central High School's homepage
• Forsyth Central H.S. Flash of Crimson Marching Band, Drumline & Color Guard Homepage