Forsyth Central High School

Forsyth Central High School is a public high school located in Cumming, Georgia, United States, northeast of Atlanta. Built in 1955, it was originally known as Forsyth County High School until 1989 when South Forsyth High School opened. It is one of eight high schools in the Forsyth County School District.

Student data
Forsyth Central High School has an approximate enrollment of 2,585 (as of the 2019-2020 school year). Most of its students are White (62.4%), or have Hispanic/Latino (26.0%) origin, with Asian (4.5%) students the third most prominent, and African-American (3.7%) students the fourth. With mixed-race (2.9%) and Native American (0.5%) being fifth and sixth, respectively. Students are mainly drawn from Lakeside, Little Mill and Otwell Middle Schools.

Forsyth Central High has developed a magnet school status because of its STEM program, high marks on school atmosphere surveys, and its clubs and extra-curricular activities.

Higher-level academics
Forsyth Central High School offers an assortment of Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment options, an honors mentorship program, and a state-certified STEM program. In 2018, Forsyth Central High School became the only school in Forsyth County to earn national certification for its STEM program. Students within the program must maintain a minimum of a 3.0 overall unweighted GPA and earn either an A or a B 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 ”capstone” project by their senior year in order to graduate. An acceptable capstone includes a research proposal, a research paper documenting all results and procedures, and a presentation (with a defense) before a panel of STEM teachers. Another requirement of earning a STEM diploma is competing in an authorized co-curricular activity or competition for one semester each year.

Extra-curricular activities
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 Scene, 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.

Flash of Crimson
The marching band program at Forsyth Central High School is known as the Flash of Crimson Marching Band (FOC). It is directed by Tom Tucker and associate directed by Amy Caputo. Dakota Carter is the color guard director. The drumline is directed by Tom Tucker and Tim Church. Jazz band and orchestra, while not part of the marching band, are also directed by Tucker.

History
The Flash of Crimson Marching Band was founded in 1956 as Forsyth Country High School Band, originally under the direction of Henry J. Presutti. The band had 25 founding members. Sheldon Morganstern replaced Presutti as band director in 1960. Alonzo "Lon" Turner Jr. replaced Morganstern as director in 1967 and introduced the name "Flash of Crimson," or FOC. Turner also turned the marching band into a pep band to play at sports. The drum major at this time was Dwight Porter.

During the 2003–2004 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Chuck Mangione."

During the 2004–2005 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Pirates of the Caribbean."

During the 2005–2006 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Las Vegas."

During the 2006–2007 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Light vs Dark."

During the 2007–2008 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Illusions."

During the 2008–2009 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "The Dash."

During the 2012–2013 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Indivisible."

During the 2013–2014 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "SENSEational."

During the 2014–2015 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "A Wolf Among Us."

During the 2015–2016 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Einstein's Dreams"

During the 2016–2017 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "The Concert"

During the 2017–2018 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Toxic"

During the 2018–2019 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Cosmic."

During the 2019–2020 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Twilight Zone."

During the 2020–2021 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Shine."

During the 2021–2022 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Chaos Order."

During the 2022–2023 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "Coming Home."

During the 2023–2024 school year, Flash of Crimson performed the show "MAD Science"

Athletics
The school currently competes in Region 6-AAAA (Area 3 A-AAAAA for lacrosse). 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.

Central Film Academy
The Central Film Academy (CFA) led by Kevin Whitley, is a 4-year; cohort, liberal arts program that focuses on preparing aspiring filmmakers for the growing film industry in Georgia.

Humanities Academy
The Humanities Academy, also known as the Humanities Program or the Humanities Institute, is an interdisciplinary cohorted program directed by Antonia Alberga-Parisi that has an emphasis English studies and social studies. Members of the program are required to either do model United Nations or mock trial and one additional humanities-based extracurricular such as band or D&D.

STEM Academy
The STEM Academy is led by Marla Hatfield.

Theatre Arts Department
Forsyth Central's Theatre Arts Department is led by Kevin Whitley.

Bulldog Engine Team
Forsyth Central's Bulldog Engine Team competes in a timed competition put on by the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow challenge where they compete to completely disassemble and reassemble a Chevy 350 small block engine.

National Automotive Technology Competition
Forsyth Central's automotive program has sent two seniors each year to compete in the National Automotive Technology Competition in New York City. 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.

Notable alumni

 * 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)
 * Lynn Turner, convicted murderer known as the “Black Widow”