| Medford High School | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Empowering students to reach their potential as learners |
| Established | 1835[1] |
| Type | Public Secondary |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Affiliation | School District |
| Affiliations | Medford Public Schools |
| Headmaster | Paul H. Krueger |
| Teaching staff | 81[2] |
| Students | 1222[3] |
| Grades | PK, 9-12 |
| Location | 489 Winthrop Street, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America |
| District | Medford Public Schools |
| Accreditation | NEASC |
| Colors | Blue and White |
| Athletics | Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Crew, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball[4][5][6] |
| Nickname | Mustangs |
| Mascot | Mustang |
| Rival | Malden High School |
| Yearbook | The Blue and White |
| Newspaper | Mustang News |
| MCAS % proficient and advanced | ELA: 87 Math: 77 Science: 67 (Spring 2011)[7] |
| SAT Scores (2008-2009) Average | Reading 490, Writing 504, Math 506[8] |
| Website | http://www.medfordpublicschools.org/schools/medford-high-school/ |
Medford High School is a public high school located in the West Medford section of Medford, Massachusetts on the southwest border of the Middlesex Fells Reservation. Students in the town of Medford may also attend the Medford Vocational-Technical High School on the same site, or the Curtis/Tufts alternative high school in South Medford.
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The Old High School building was built between 1894 and 1896 with a rear wing including a gym added in 1914 to its location on 22-24 Forest Street near Medford Square. Additional North and South wings were added in 1929 and 1939 respectively and those wings were the only ones in use following a fire in 1965 until the close of the school in 1971.[9]
The current campus was completed in that year and during the first decade of the 2000s underwent a major renovation in the third phase of the district's three phase school improvement plan.[10]
Medford High School shares its campus and building with Medford Vocational-Technical High School in the West Medford section of Medford and on the southwest border of the Middlesex Fells Reservation.
Most Medford High School students undertake a college preparatory curriculum that includes four classes of English, three classes each of mathematics, social studies, sciences, and for college-prep students, foreign languages, two classes each of physical education, health/wellness, one class of fine arts and one class of media and computer technology. All students must also complete fifteen hours of community service each year.
Students can choose from thirteen Advanced Placement courses to earn college credits.
The English department requires two general literature and writing courses, one on American literature and one on world literature, with Shakespeare appearing in three of those courses. Electives include courses in mythology, plays, writing, AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition. A separate English Language Learners department includes courses for bringing non-native speakers up to fluency. The social studies core requires a credit in world history, and one in United States history with electives including contemporary issues, psychology, and AP courses in U.S. History, European History, U.S. Government and Politics, and Psychology. Humanities electives through the occupational offerings department include an Accounting/Computers sequence and Basic Finance.
Medford High School's foreign language offerings include French, Spanish, and Italian as well as courses on the cultures coinciding with those languages. There are AP electives for French and Spanish.
MHS's science department offers courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Engineering, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, and Science Fair Projects. Its AP offerings include Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (C). Through the math and media and technology departments, computer oriented electives include C++, digital video, and web design. Math electives include AP Calculus.
The art department includes sequences in ceramics and in sculpture as well as offering AP Studio Art. Music courses include Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Orchestra.
The family and consumer sciences department offers a course sequence in exploring childhood, while the health department provides courses in relationships, lifestyle choices, and transitioning to adulthood.[11]
Medford High School is a member of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association in the Greater Boston League.[12]
Medford High School offers a number of clubs including the Book Club, the National Honor Society, and the MHS Band. The school's yearbook is assembled by its members and Mustang News recently transitioned from an offline newspaper to an all online format.[13]