Wellesley High School

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Wellesley High School
Image:whslogo.jpg
Established 1938
Type Public secondary
Principal Dr. Andrew Keough
Faculty 108
Students approx. 1200
Grades 9-12
Location Wellesley, Massachusetts, USA
Colors Red and black
Mascot Raider
Yearbook 'The Wellesleyan'
Newspaper 'The Bradford'
Website Wellesley High School

Wellesley High School is a public high school in Wellesley, Massachusetts, educating grades 9 through 12. Its current principal is Dr. Andrew Keough, who assumed the position in 2007 after the retirement of Ms. Rena Mirkin [1]. Its two assistant principals are Lynn Novogroski and Jamie Chisum. As of 2006, it has over 1200 students and is one of the most academically challenging public high schools in Massachusetts[2]. In 2007 it was ranked 70th best high school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, earning a Gold Medal.[3]

Contents

[edit] History and current state

Wellesley High School is a comprehensive four year institution whose goal is to provide an outstanding educational experience to its students. Guided by a set of core values (Academic Excellence, Respect for Human Differences, Cooperative and Caring Relationships and Commitment to Community), the school maintains a high standard for its students and faculty. A culture of professionalism and collegiality exists throughout the school, with administrators and faculty working together to promote and maintain a high level of excellence. Students are challenged to achieve excellence through a rich selection of classes, extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities.

The current school building was originally built as a public works project in 1938 during the Great Depression, the school was designed by Perry Shaw and Hepburn and built by M. Spinelli and Sons Co., Inc. The building has been modified with several additions throughout its existence, most recently with a new fitness center. Age and maintenance issues have taken their toll on the structure. The increasing size of student body as well as the evolving nature of education have made it challenging for the structure to effectively and safely meet the needs of the school community. As of October, 2005, options for a new building or refurbishment are being explored by the town.[citation needed]

Of the class of 2004, 92% of students planned on attending four-year colleges, while the remaining 8% planned on attending two-year college, specialized school, or post-graduate school[4]. Many graduates attend some of the most selective and prestigious institutions in the nation. According to matriculation data provided by the high school's guidance department, the Wellesley High has been a major feeder school for NESCAC colleges.

In October 2007, a public meeting was held to be introduced to several options for the expansion of the school, including renovation and extension of the existing building and its demolition and replacement by a completely new structure. The site is to be expanded by purchase of properties in Seaver Street and transfer of publicly owned land. The project could take up to five years from start of construction, depending upon the chosen option.

[edit] Governing bodies

  • Students: Student Congress
  • Teachers: Faculty Senate
  • Legislative: School Council
  • District Wide: School Committee
  • Class Officers
    • Senior Class
    • Junior Class
    • Sophomore Class
    • Freshman Class

[edit] Extracurricular activities

Wellesley High School offers many after school clubs that are mostly run by students. Notable clubs include the active Debate Club, the Key Club, and the many other cultural and humanitarian-focused clubs.

[edit] Sports

Wellesley has a strong athletic program, participating in the Bay State Conference and consistently sending various sports teams to the Eastern Massachusetts playoffs. Over 70% of all WHS students participate in one of the 34 different offered sports at some point during their time at Wellesley High. Altogether, there are 63 varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams at the school[5]. Wellesley has been very successful in not just one, but many, different athletic teams establishing the school's all-around skillful athletic program. In 2005-2006, the Wellesley varsity girls ice hockey team won the state championship. The boys lacrosse team made it to three straight state finals between 2004 and 2006, managing to capture the title of state champions in 2006. In 2007 the Wellesley Raiders golf team came in 2nd in the state finals, lead by senior Chris Crane. Then in 2008, the girls varsity basketball team defeated Millbury at the DCU Center in Worcester, bringing home Wellesley High School basketball's first ever State Championship. In addition, the girls and boys teams have won many Bay State Conference All Sports awards, which are presented to the athletic program among the twelve Bay State League teams that has the highest combined winning percentage of all its teams. The Wellesley boys teams won the award for the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 seasons, and the girls won the award for each school year from 2000 to 2006.[citation needed] Varsity Sports in Wellesley for the 2007-2008 academic school year are as follows:

  • Fall
    • Football
    • Boy's Soccer
    • Girl's Soccer
    • Field Hockey
    • Cross Country Running
    • Volleyball
    • Girl's Swimming and Diving
    • Golf
  • Winter
    • Boy's Basketball
    • Girl's Basketball
    • Indoor Track and Field
    • Boy's Hockey
    • Girl's Hockey
    • Boy's Swimming and Diving
    • Dance Team
    • Ski Team
  • Spring
    • Softball
    • Baseball
    • Outdoor Track and Field
    • Boy's Tennis
    • Girl's Tennis
    • Boy's Lacrosse
    • Girl's Lacrosse
    • Sailing Team
Raiders vs. Rockets in the 2005 Thanksgiving Day Game at Hunnewell Field in Wellesley
Raiders vs. Rockets in the 2005 Thanksgiving Day Game at Hunnewell Field in Wellesley

[edit] Football and Thanksgiving Rivalry

The Wellesley High School football team was formerly known as the Red Raiders, but the name was changed to simply the Raiders (Pirates) in the 1990s for reasons of racial sensitivity.[citation needed] The 2006 football team, led by head coaches Bill Tracey and Andy Levin, finished with a record of 6-5. The school continues to participate in the oldest high school rivalry in the nation, between Wellesley and Needham.[6] The game is played every Thanksgiving and began its tradition in 1882. In the most recent game, November 22nd, 2007, the 120th consecutive meeting, the Raiders lost in overtime by a score of 14-20 to finish the season 4-7. The all-time record of the Thanksgiving Rivalry game now stands with Wellesley leading at 58-53-9. The 2007 squad was led by their Captains: FB/FS Ben Ravelson (#10), HB/OLB Peter Jennings (#23), G/DT Kyle Dowd (#64), Alex Stone (#77) and TE/DE Trevor Rhodes (#88); and Coaches: Bill Tracey (Head Coach, RB/DE), Andy Levin (Offensive Coordinator, QB/DB), John Griffith (Defensive Coordinator, O-Line/LB), Jesse Davis (O-Line/DT), Larry Corda and Angelo Machiano (Freshmen).

[edit] Curricular Offerings

[edit] Performing arts

  • Band
    • 1 o'Clock Jazz Band
    • 2 o'Clock Jazz Band - The 2 o'clock Jazz Band is one of the best high school jazz bands in the region and in 2006 was a finalist at the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition and Festival in New York City for the second year in a row.[7][8]
    • Concert Band
    • Wind Ensemble - Since the origin of the WHS Wind Ensemble, it has won the gold medal at the MICCA state finals each of the past four years, and has performed at both Mechanics Hall in Worcester and Symphony Hall in Boston.
  • Orchestra (strings)
  • Drama Program - In 2006, Wellesley's drama program self-scripted a show through improvisation which was entered in the Massachusetts State Drama Festival. This show, "Der Waffle Haus, Ergo Leggo My Ego", went on to win first place and represent Massachusetts in the New England Drama Festival.[citation needed]
    In 2007, Wellesley's drama group returned to State Finals with "Dark of the Moon." While selected as an alternate, they are still heading off to New Englands with the refusal of Joseph Case.
  • Technical Theatre - "Sound & Light Crew"
  • Choral Program
    • Brooks Brothers
    • Song Sisters
    • Concert Choir
    • Keynotes - Formerly The Wellesley High School A Capella group, Keynotes was established in 2007. An audition-only choir, Keynotes consists of 30 students with a devotion to musical excellence.
    • Rice Street Singers - The Rice Street Singers is an audition-only jazz choir that won a gold medal and ranked first place in the UNH Jazz Festival in 2005-2006.[citation needed]

[edit] Foreign languages

Regular classes are offered in French, Spanish, German, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese (as of 2008).

The foreign language department regularly engages in exchange programs with students of Spanish-, French-, and German-speaking countries. The German program was involved in an exchange with students from Munich, Germany in the 2005-2006 school year. Twenty-eight students and two teachers from Munich visited Wellesley High School from October 21 to November 12, 2005. Wellesley students returned the visit in the spring of 2006. The Spanish program welcomed students from Chile in the fall of 2006 and WHS students returned the visit that winter. Because of behavioral incidents, however, the exchange program was put on hold. However, in the fall of 2007, 22 German students visited Wellesley for a three week visit, with Wellesley students visiting Germany in the spring of 2008.

[edit] Science and Technology

The science and technology department at Wellesley High School offers a comprehensive program of science education and a selection of electives in technology. The departmental sequence in science consists of earth science in ninth grade, chemistry in tenth grade, biology in eleventh grade, and physics in twelfth grade.[9] AP courses are offered in chemistry (as a second-year course), biology, and Physics B. Electives in technology consist of wood manufacturing, automotive technology, and design technology. Robotics is offered occasionally, depending on demand.

[edit] Social studies

The social studies department offers several elective majors, available for junior and senior students. These include Russian History, Theory of Knowledge, East Asian History, Economic Theory, Political Science, and Sociology. The department offers two advanced placement courses: AP Psychology and AP United States History.

In 2005, one of the best-known teachers in the school, Jon Hamilton, retired after decades of teaching AP U.S. History. He was the speaker for the Class of 2005's graduation and remains as the head coach of the varsity golf team.

[edit] English

The English Department offers a comprehensive program that covers writing, poetry and literature. Students are exposed to a wide range of literature and given a strong background in writing. Opportunities exist to take various electives, and the department sponsors a summer reading program where a particular book is read over the summer by the entire school community. The program culminates with a school wide seminar, usually lead by the author of the book, or an individual knowledgeable about the book or its subject. This past summer, students and faculty read 1776 by David McCullough, who came in to speak when the school year began.

[edit] Health and Fitness

The Health and Fitness Department offers a variety of courses designed to promote the current and future health of students. A variety of fitness options are provide to allow all students to participate in a fitness program that is appropriate to their level. Classes covering various health related topics are offered to ensure that students are aware of the risks and benefits that various life activities may entail.

[edit] Mathematics

Standard mathematics classes are offered through AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics, and there is also a separate Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP) track through junior year.

[edit] Art

Along with elective courses leveled by ability in jewelry making, ceramics, film making, photography, digital art, and newly added creative journal making, the school offers a five-credit honors course for serious artists called Drawing and Painting Intensive. The course is taught by artist and teacher Dr. Robert Callahan and, in addition to requiring weekly homework assignments, is counted towards students' GPA.


[edit] Associated Programs

[edit] Partnership with Wellesley College

Students at WHS may take classes at Wellesley College without paying tuition, provided that the classes are not offered at WHS. Students most frequently take advantage of this opportunity for math and language classes.

[edit] METCO Program

Wellesley is a member of the METCO Program, which allows inner-city Boston students to attend the school.

[edit] Bridge Program

Students out of school for an extended period of time due to hospitalization are eligible for this support program. It is run by former Magic 106.7 DJ Adam Diliberto and Social Worker Lindsey Slotnick.

[edit] Notable alumni and teachers

  • American poet Sylvia Plath, former Wellesley resident, remains an influence on the town and school. Ms. Plath attempted suicide while living on Elmwood Road, a story which she retold in her acclaimed work The Bell Jar.
  • Jonathan Carmen, aka "Johnny Wendell", Los Angeles based talk show host and writer/musician under the nom du plume "Johnny Angel", attended Wellesley in 1972-73.
  • Billy Squier, a 1968 graduate, became a rock star during the late seventies and early eighties.
  • David McCullough, Jr., another English teacher currently at WHS, is the son of the renowned historian David McCullough.
  • Jess Hatch, a teacher of business at WHS, is the son of Senator Orrin Hatch, who gave a speech at the high school in December, 2005.
  • David Rempis, a graduate of the class of 1993, is considered one of the premiere jazz saxophonists in the country. His work with the Vandermark Five has been noted in the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Reader, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Down Beat, as well as the Boston Globe, in which noted jazz critic Bob Blumenthal referred to him as the band's "primary firebreather."
  • R. Nicholas Burns, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs - the State Departement's third highest ranking official since March 17, 2005

[edit] Parking

Parking at the school is routinely difficult, despite the two full-time parking clerks employed to ticket illegally parked cars and maintain civility in the parking lot. When the parking lot was built, it was sufficiently large for the school community because comparatively few students drove cars to school. Today, however, many students have cars, and fewer students walk to school. In response to this ongoing problem, the school provides spaces to seniors and rations out the remaining spaces using a lottery system. Two parking spaces very near the building are also auctioned off every spring to generate revenue for the junior class.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Reed, Brad (2007 January 25). WHS Principal Hired. Wellesley Townsman.
  2. ^ Wellesley High School Profile
  3. ^ U. S. News & World Report (2007 November 29). Gold Medal Schools. Accessed 2007 December 17.
  4. ^ Wellesley High School Profile
  5. ^ Wellesley High School Profile
  6. ^ Paine, Thomas M. New England Milestones, Sport, Innovation Odyssey
  7. ^ Bowers, Jack. "The Mancini Institute: A Beacon of Light", all about jazz, 2005-04-05. Retrieved on 2008-03-06. 
  8. ^ "Essentially Ellington Winners!", all about jazz, 2006-04-22. Retrieved on 2008-03-06. 
  9. ^ Wellesley High School Program of Studies 2005-2007 [1]

[edit] External links