Central High School is home to a nationally recognized policy debate program. Founded by 2007 graduates Molly Schnell and Maureen O'Brien in 2004, the program has since grown to a roster size of 14 in the 2006–2007 season under the leadership of coach Dan Allen. The team qualified juniors Ben Quam and Ilias Karim, who is the brother of Central High School alum Jawed Karim, to the quarterfinals of the Minnesota State High School League Policy Debate Quarterfinals as the fourth seeded team before they were eliminated by Edina High School's seniors Doug Gschneidner and Logan Chin. In 2008, the team consisting of Ilias Karim and Ben Quam faced Highland Park High School at the final round of the Minnesota state debate tournament. In 2010, the team of Laura Johnson and Steve Quam reached the quarter-finals of the Tournament of Champions (debate) and Johnson was the 9th place speaker. In 2012, the team of Hannah Nesser and Imanol Avendano reached the semi-finals of the National Urban Debate League tournament. In 2013, Ayaan Natala became the first African-American to reach the final round of the Minnesota State High School League tournament.