Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
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| Acton-Boxborough Regional High School | |
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| "Home of the Colonials" | |
| Established | Unknown |
| School type | Public |
| Religious affiliation | none |
| Principal | Steve Donovan |
| Location | Acton, MA, USA |
| Campus | Charter Rd. Complex |
| Enrollment | 1,849 |
| Faculty | 100 |
| Average class size | unknown |
| Student:teacher ratio |
18.4:1 |
| Average SAT scores (2004) |
613 verbal 634 math |
| Athletics | 32 Interscholastic Teams |
| Color(s) | Blue & Gold |
| Mascot | The Colonial |
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School serves the Massachusetts towns of Acton and Boxborough, with roughly 450 students per grade level in grades 9 through 12.
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[edit] ABRHS Facility
Enjoying a newly renovated and state-of-the-art facility, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School is situated down-hill from the Raymond J. Grey Junior High School, at 36 Charter Road in Acton. Raymond J. Grey Junior High School occupies the facility that until 1973 was the High School.
[edit] Academics
[edit] Tradition of Excellence
The school is celebrated as one of the finest public high schools in Massachusetts. For this reason, many families move to Acton so that their children may enjoy this excellence of education.
One positive attribute of ABRHS is its enormous spectrum of classes that it offers. Based on performance through the years, students have the options of taking CP (college prep), Accelerated, Honors, or AP (college credit) classes. There are pre-requisites for Honors and AP classes, usually accepting only students with an A or B average in the prior level.
Consistently, over 90% of its graduates matriculate college within two years of graduation.
In the 2005 English Language Arts section of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam, of the 438 10th grade students taking this section, 48% scored "Advanced", and 42% scored "Proficient". Only 8% scored "Needs Improvement" and 2% did not pass. In the Mathematics section for the same year, of the 439 10th grade students taking this section, 74% of 10th grade students scored "Advanced", and 16% scored "Proficient". Only 6% scored "Needs Improvement" and 4% did not pass.[1]
Particular areas of commendation in previous years have been high standardized test scores in Mathematics and the Sciences, as well as the school's success in operating with a low per pupil expenditure. (This expenditure was necessary as the town does not have enough money for higher funds.)
In 2006, students from the school were awarded a grant from MIT, which only twenty high schools across the United States received, to develop a reuseable fire-extinguishing grenade for and Cisco Systems will provide additional funding and mentoring for the students. [1]
[edit] Math Team
ABRHS's math team came in second for large schools at the MAML state championship meet in 2006 at Canton High School. It also came in third for large schools at the NEAML New England championship meet in 2006, also at Canton High School.
[edit] Science Team
ABRHS's science team also performs well, having won the state olympiad in 2005 and 2006. Both times, it represented Massachusetts in the National Science Olympiad, placing 14th nationally in 2006.
[edit] Envirothon
An environmentally oriented science competition that requires a team of five to compete in different challenges. Came in 3rd at the 2006 competition overall with 1st in the aquatics and 2nd in the soils subsections.
[edit] Speech and Debate
The Speech and Debate Team is one of the best in Massachusetts, frequently winning or placing highly in state tournaments.
[edit] Extracurriculars
[edit] Marching Band
ABRHS's marching band has also been noted for its excellence. The marching band has been awarded the best band marching in the Boston St. Patrick's day parade for the past six years. In 2003, the band played at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and in 2004, they marched in the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. In addition, the band went on a trip to Ireland to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin in 2006, and was awarded "The Best Band Overall in Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Parade," as well as receiving an award for "most entertaining" at the Limerick International Band Competition. This ensemble is led by Mark Hickey, and has been for the last thirteen years.
[edit] Chorus
ABRHS's Choral Program is an important part of the AB Music Department. Two choirs, the Chorus as well as Women's Ensemble, are open to all students. The select ensemble, the Madrigal Singers, performs in neighboring communities betwixt Boston and Worcester, and has been awarded the Gold medal at MICCA. The choral program also supports two A Capella groups, Downbeat and 13 Fish Named Jennifer. Each year the Chorus performs Cabaret,a variety show, and a Madrigal Dinner to entertain the town. The choirs sing repertoire from different time periods and composers, each one improving the many skills of the choir. It is led by Jennifer Moss.
In the spring of 2007, the Concert Choir, Madrigals and Women's Ensemble are travelling to Italy for one week on a concert tour.
