For parents raising children, while the cost of housing is important when considering a neighborhood to move to, ultimately, the last thing they look at is the school.

When you ask in Philadelphia, "Which public school has good academics?" the name that comes up with a very high probability is Central High School. This school is not just famous; it is a prestigious public high school with a rich history and tradition in the United States.

What's amazing is the year it was established. It opened its doors in 1836, so it has nearly 190 years of history.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it has grown alongside the history of American independence. It is located at 1700 W. Olney Avenue in the Olney neighborhood of northwest Philadelphia, and commuting is relatively easy using SEPTA buses and subways.

However, this school is not just an ordinary public school that anyone can attend. It is a Magnet School operated by the Philadelphia School District, which selects students based on their grades and abilities. Academic performance is a given, and test scores and teacher recommendations are also evaluated, making competition quite fierce. Therefore, many families start preparing for this school as soon as their child enters middle school.

The student population is around 2,000 to 2,200, making it quite a large school. It serves grades 9 through 12 and has its own unique traditions.

Upon graduation, students receive not only a regular high school diploma but also an Associate of Arts degree.

This is a unique tradition that is hard to find in American public high schools, and the school takes great pride in it.

The academic level goes without saying. In national rankings of public high schools, it consistently ranks among the top schools each year.

AP courses are offered in a wide variety, allowing students to take college-level classes in advance, and the average SAT and ACT scores are significantly higher than the Pennsylvania average. Each year, students consistently go on to prestigious universities, including Ivy League schools like Harvard, Princeton, UPenn, Cornell, and Columbia, as well as Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown, and NYU.

However, a good school is not just about academics.

Central High School also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. There are math Olympiads, science competitions, Model UN, a student newspaper, debate teams, theater, band, and orchestra, among others. Sports are also well-represented, with basketball, soccer, baseball, swimming, and track and field, providing a great environment for children to find their interests.

There is a particular reason why Korean parents are especially interested. The percentage of Asian students is relatively high, so there are quite a few Korean students, and the academic atmosphere is so positive that they influence each other positively.

In fact, in the Philadelphia Korean community, you often hear stories like, "We prepare to send our kids to Central High School from middle school." SAT prep classes and test preparation academies for students aiming for admission can easily be found in the Korean community.

However, preparation must be done in advance. Typically, students apply through the Philadelphia School District's School Selection process in grades 7 or 8, but the recruitment schedule and application requirements can change slightly each year. Therefore, it is important to regularly check the school district's website and the school's website.

In my opinion, Central High School can be best understood as "a public school where you can receive an education comparable to that of a private school." Of course, the competition for admission is tough, but if a child enjoys studying and aims for college, it is definitely a school worth challenging.

There seems to be a clear reason why parents in Philadelphia who prioritize education always mention this school first.