Groton-Dunstable Regional High School

Last updated
Groton-Dunstable Regional High School
Gdrhslogo2010.jpg
GDRHS 002B.JPG
Address
Groton-Dunstable Regional High School
703 Chicopee Row P.O. Box 730

,
01450

United States
Information
Type Public Secondary
Open enrollment [1]
MottoTogether We Achieve
School districtGroton-Dunstable Regional School District
DeanRick Arena [2]
PrincipalStephen Sierpina [3]
Teaching staff53.36 (FTE) [4]
Grades 9-12
Gender Coeducational
Enrollment680 (2022–23) [4]
Student to teacher ratio12.74 [4]
Color(s)Maroon, white and black    
AthleticsAlpine skiing, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball [5] [6]
MascotCrusader aka "Crush"
Accreditation NEASC
National ranking139 (2015 Newsweek) [7]
745 (2017 U.S. News & World Report) [8]
NewspaperThe Crusader
YearbookThe Key [9]
Scheduling4x4 Block
MCAS  % proficient and advancedELA: 99
Math: 97
Science: 97 (Spring 2017) [10]
Website gdrsd.org

Groton-Dunstable Regional High School (GDRHS) is a high school located in Groton, Massachusetts, United States, and serves the communities of Groton and Dunstable in the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District. While GDRHS is the only public high school located within those communities students from Groton may also attend the public Nashoba Valley Technical High School [11] and students from Dunstable may attend the public Greater Lowell Technical High School. [12] Approximately 810 students attend GDRHS [13] and they are primarily graduates of Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School. GDRHS has a primarily college preparatory curriculum, with approximately 87% of its students attending four-year colleges and over 90% attending two- or four-year colleges upon graduation in 2010. [14]

Contents

History

The earliest incarnation of GDRHS was as the grammar school that was held in Groton town center for which there are funding records as far back as 1758. [15] The residency of the grammar school migrated between the district schools and in 1808 was kept for four months in District school number 1, then two months in number 2, two months in number 3, and two months in number five. [15]

While Lawrence Academy had long provided private secondary school opportunities in town, a committee was appointed in November 1855 to consider establishing a new high school. [16] On Monday, December 5, 1859 the first public high school opened in the lower hall of the Town House (Town Hall). [17] For some time in the 1860s, the high school was held in the upper part of the Gerrish building at Groton Center, before moving into the new District Number 1 school, built in 1870 [15] at a cost of $32,000. On March 2, 1874, the district schools, were named according to town vote with the high school being named Butler Grammar School after Caleb Butler, former principal of Lawrence Academy, and town historian. [18] A new high school was built in 1927. [19] Now known as the recently closed Prescott Elementary, it continued to be known as the Butler School for some time. [20]

The regional school district was established in 1967 [21] with the high school located on Main St. in Groton. In 1997, the school adopted 4x4 block scheduling. [22] In 1999, the "new gym" at the Main Street campus was renovated and renamed as the Peter Twomey Youth Center (PTYC) in order to honor a then recently deceased student. The PTYC is now "...a self-supporting facility that provides space for youth athletic leagues, adult education, and youth groups in Groton and Dunstable." [23] With the student population expanding from 370 in 1993 [24] to its current levels, a new building was needed. In 2003 at cost of $35 million, [25] the high school relocated to its current location near the border between the two towns it serves.

Campus

GD's 179-acre (0.72 km2) campus lies on Chicopee Row on the Groton side of the Groton-Dunstable border. The current site is just to the east of Reedy Meadow and its fields are bordered by eastern white pine, as well as vernal pools including Bauch Pond and the Ennis Puddle. [26] Near the upper fields and entrance to the grounds is the "Spirit Rock", a large boulder which student groups and individuals have periodically repainted since the spring of 2007.

The main campus building was designed by HMFH Architects [27] to allow outside light into nearly every room and thus features windows along many interior walls. An exception to that rule is Mr. Donnelly's technology room as well as the Black Box Theater [28] which hosts both school and local community performances. Also located within the school is Public-access television cable TV station, The Groton Channel. [29]

In November 2013, students and their families were notified that excessive levels of coliform bacteria had been detected in the school's water supply. The system was disinfected and the problem was apparently resolved. [30] The quality of drinking water at the school had been a concern since the new building's completion in 2003. [25]

Curriculum

Most Groton-Dunstable students undertake a college preparatory curriculum that includes four credits of English, three credits of mathematics, social sciences, and laboratory-based sciences inscluding integrated science, two credits each of a single foreign language and physical/behavioral health, one credit of fine arts and one half credit of computer applications. Seniors must also complete a senior project. As G-D is on a 4x4 block schedule, full credit courses are equivalent to a year-long course in a school with traditional 40-50 minute periods. A small number of students with significant special needs instead participate in the Life Skills Experiential Learning program.

Students can choose from 11 advanced placement coursesto earn college credits.

The English department requires two courses focused on the role of the hero, one on American literature and one on Shakespeare and Chaucer. Electives include courses in both print and broadcast journalism, videography, film studies, theater arts, and creative writing classes along with an English literature AP course. The social studies core requires a credit in world history, and two in United States history. Humanities electives include contemporary issues, women's studies, economics, marketing and entrepreneurship, the student and the law, international business, accounting, modern European history, sociology, public speaking/debate and the U.S. History AP course.

Groton-Dunstable's foreign language offerings include Spanish, and Latin. There are AP electives for Latin and Spanish.

Groton-Dunstable's science/technology department offers courses in molecular biology, anatomy & physiology, environmental studies, astronomy, engineering design & construction. Its AP offerings include biology, chemistry, environmental science and physics (C: Electricity and Magnetism). Through the math and business & technology departments, computer oriented electives include Java, digital imaging, and web page design. AP level courses are offered through the math department for both calculus tests as well as for statistics.

The visual arts program includes sequences in studio art, design, and photography. Music courses include concert band, chorus, and chamber chorus.

In addition to the usual sports and conditioning options, the physical and behavioral health program provides courses in child development, health, life-management, and psychology. [31]

Notable alumni

Principals

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunstable, Massachusetts</span> Town in Massachusetts, United States

Dunstable is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,358 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Groton, Massachusetts</span> Town in Massachusetts, United States

Groton is a town in northwestern Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, within the Greater Boston metropolitan area. The population was 11,315 at the 2020 census. An affluent bedroom community roughly 45 miles from Boston, Groton has a large population of professional workers, many of whom work in Boston's tech industry. It is loosely connected to Boston by highways and commuter rail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Algonquin Regional High School</span> Public secondary school in Northborough, Massachusetts, United States

Algonquin Regional High School is a public high school located in Northborough, Massachusetts, United States. The school serves the students of the Northborough-Southborough Regional School District (NSRSD) comprising both Northborough and neighboring Southborough.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weston High School (Massachusetts)</span> Public high school in Weston, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Weston High School is a high school in Weston, Massachusetts, United States, a suburb 12 miles west of Boston. The school is located at 444 Wellesley Street in Weston. During the 2022-2023 school year, it had 639 students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belmont High School (Massachusetts)</span> School in Belmont, Middlesex County, MA, United States

Belmont High School is a four-year public high school in Belmont, Massachusetts, United States. It had 1,364 students enrolled and a student/teacher ratio of 16.3:1 in the 2022–2023 school year. It placed #290 in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report national rankings and #3 for Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School</span> School in Taunton, Massachusetts, United States

Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School is a vocational high school located in Taunton, Massachusetts, United States, that has been in operation since September 1972. Bristol-Plymouth is one of the three high schools in the city of Taunton, and enrolls roughly 1,200 students in grades 9 through 12. The school draws students from the towns and cities of Bridgewater, Raynham, Berkley, Taunton, Rehoboth, Middleboro, and Dighton. Because it is considered to be its own school district, it has an on-site superintendent as well as a principal and vice principal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Hills Regional Technical School</span> Public school

The Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical High School is a high school in Canton, Massachusetts. It is in the geographical center of member towns of the Blue Hills Regional School District: Avon, Braintree, Milton, Canton, Norwood, Randolph, Dedham, Westwood, and Holbrook. The school is situated on a 35-acre (140,000 m2) campus that borders the DCR's Blue Hills Reservation, and is within view of Great Blue Hill. The schools mascot is the Warriors

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Peter-Marian High School</span> Private, coeducational school in Worcester, , Massachusetts, United States

Saint Peter-Marian Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School, was a private, coeducational Catholic junior high and senior high school in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. The school was more commonly referred to as St. Peter-Marian, or informally as SPM or St. Peter's. It was one of four high schools operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester and was accredited by The New England Association of Schools & Colleges in 1969. After the 2019-2020 school year, SPM closed and merged with Holy Name. The school that they created is called Saint Paul’s, it is on the Holy Name campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burlington High School (Massachusetts)</span> School in Burlington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States

Burlington High School is a four-year comprehensive high school located at 123 Cambridge Street in Burlington, Massachusetts. It is credited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nauset Regional High School</span> Public school in the United States

Nauset Regional High School is an NEASC accredited high school located in Eastham, Massachusetts, United States and a part of Nauset Public Schools. Nauset is inside the Cape Cod National Seashore, making it the only high school on the East Coast located within a National Park. The open campus is situated about a half-mile from Nauset Light. Nauset's colors are Black and Gold and the school's mascot is the Warrior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Brookfield High School</span> Public school in North Brookfield, Massachusetts , United States

North Brookfield High School is a public high school in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, United States. The school serves the residents of North Brookfield exclusively, making it one of the smallest high schools in the region. Recently, a new building was built next to the old one. The construction was completed in 2006. NBHS was founded in 1857, making 2007 its 150th anniversary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nashoba Valley Technical High School</span> Public regional vocational technical school in Westford, Massachusetts, USA

Nashoba Valley Technical High School is a four-year, public regional vocational high school located on Route 110 in Westford, Massachusetts, United States. Following a $25 million renovation and expansion, its service area covers 14 communities including the seven District towns of Ayer, Chelmsford, Groton, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend and Westford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyngsborough High School</span> Public school in Tyngsborough, MA, United States

Tyngsborough High School (THS) is located at 36 Norris Road in Tyngsborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milford High School (Massachusetts)</span> Public high school in Milford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States

Milford High School (MHS) is the secondary school for the district of Milford, Massachusetts, Milford Public Schools. Its principal is Joshua Otlin and William Chaplin is associate principal. Jessica Zaleski and Richard Piergustavo are assistant principals.

Groton-Dunstable Regional School District is a school district in the US state of Massachusetts which serves the towns of Groton and Dunstable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shrewsbury High School (Massachusetts)</span> Public school in the United States

Shrewsbury High School is a public high school located in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, United States. It is the only public high school in the Shrewsbury Public Schools district. It is a large school offering a wide variety of electives and extracurricular activities. Shrewsbury High School placed 27th in the list of 21,035 high schools that U.S News reviewed in 2013. The current principal is Todd Bazydlo. Shrewsbury High School is part of Shrewsbury Public Schools, the current superintendent of which is Dr. Joseph Sawyer.

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School or Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School District is located on an 80-acre campus in Rochester, Massachusetts, United States, the geographical center of the five-member town school district that includes Acushnet, Carver, Mattapoisett, Rochester and students from Freetown & Lakeville Public Schools. Note that Lakeville is a member town while, Freetown is not and its students served are limited to around 90. Old Colony is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, as well as the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medford High School (Massachusetts)</span> Public high school in Medford, Massachusetts, United States

Medford High School is a public high school located in the western edge of the Lawrence Estates section of Medford, Massachusetts on the southwest border of the Middlesex Fells Reservation. Students in the City 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tahanto Regional High School</span> Public school in the United States

Tahanto Regional Middle/High School is a public middle school and high school located in Boylston, Massachusetts, United States named after George Tahanto. In the 2012 rankings of U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools, it ranked as number 45 within Massachusetts. The school serves grades 6–12 with a student to teacher ratio of 12.21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas High School (Massachusetts)</span> Public high school in the United States

Douglas High School is a public high school in Douglas, Massachusetts, United States serving 382 students in grades 9-12 in the Douglas School District.

References

  1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-04-12. Retrieved 2017-04-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Groton-Dunstable Regional High School: Staff Directory". www.edline.net. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  3. "Groton-Dunstable Regional High School: Staff Directory". gdrhs.org. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  4. 1 2 3 "Groton Dunstable Regional". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  5. "Student Activities at GDRHS". Groton-Dunstable Regional High School. 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
  6. "Swimmers Make Instant Splash, Groton Landmark, Mar 25, 2011". Nashoba Publishing. 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
  7. "America's Top High Schools 2015". Newsweek. 2015. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
  8. "Groton Dunstable Regional High School in GROTON, MA Best High Schools US News". U.S. News & World Report. 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
  9. Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, October 2008 Newsletter [ dead link ]
  10. "Groton-Dunstable Regional: MCAS Tests of Spring 2012 Percent of Students at Each Performance Level for Groton-Dunstable Regional". Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
  11. "DISTRICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE". Nashobatech.net. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  12. "Agreement with respect to the establishment of a vocational school district" (PDF). gltech.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-05. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  13. "Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Groton-Dunstable Regional Profile, Enrollment Data". Profiles.doe.mass.edu. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
  14. "Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Groton-Dunstable Regional Profile, Plans of High School Graduates". Profiles.doe.mass.edu. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  15. 1 2 3 Richardson, Edward Adams (1911). "Moors School at Old District No. 2, Groton, Massachusetts: A Story of a District School" . Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  16. Report of a Committee of the town of Groton, appointed in November, 1855, to consider the expediency of establishing a high school. Boston, W. White. 1856. OCLC   39771575.
  17. Green, Samuel A. (1885). "The Old Stores and the Post-Office of Groton". Full text of "Groton historical series" A Collection of Papers Relating to the History of the Town of Groton, Massachusetts. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  18. "Groton District Schools". Full text of "Groton historical series" A Collection of Papers Relating to the History of the Town of Groton, Massachusetts. 1885. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  19. Gunderson, Matt (March 6, 2008). "Officials forge on with Groton school closure". Boston Globe, MA. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  20. "Groton Master Plan Phase I Draft 04-11-11" (PDF). Town of Groton, MA. April 11, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
  21. Groton-Dunstable Regional School Committee Archived 2007-08-12 at the Wayback Machine
  22. "School Profile 2010-2011" (PDF). Groton-Dunstable Regional High School Guidance and Counseling Services. 2010-10-01. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
  23. "New England Colonials, Peter M. Twomey Memorial". Newenglandcolonials.net. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  24. "Massachusetts D.O.E. 1994 Enrollment by Grade Report (School)". Profiles.doe.mass.edu. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  25. 1 2 Comtois, Pierre (2011-05-30). "School Official Says Drinking Water May Finally Be On Tap at Groton-Dunstable High". Lowell Sun. Retrieved 2011-06-03.
  26. "Groton-Dunstable Regional High School Biology Students, Biodiversity on the Campus of Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, 2006". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  27. "Portfolio Public K-12 Groton". HMFH Architects Inc. Archived from the original on 2011-08-27. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
  28. "The Black Box Theater, Groton-Dunstable High School in Groton, BoMoms, Boston.com". Momsevents.boston.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  29. "The Groton Channel, Virtual Studio Tour". Thegrotonchannel.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  30. Groton-Dunstable Regional School District: Important Information About Your Drinking Water (PDF) 11/1/2013 Archived 2014-01-16 at the Wayback Machine
  31. "Groton-Dunstable Regional High School Program of Studies 2011-2012" (PDF). Groton-Dunstable Regional High School. 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
  32. Farragher, Thomas. "Death on Ward C:Caregiver or killer?". Boston Globe Online. The Boston Globe. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  33. Mingolelli, Jane. "The Next Chapter: Groton Dunstable Educators Association Retiree's Newsletter" (PDF). Massteacher.org. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  34. Coolbaugh, Gethin. "Dan Shaughnessy highlights night of celebration at Wellesley-Needham Football Rivalry Rally-Dinner". BostonSportsU18.com. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  35. "William E. McGuirk, MIAA Assistant Director" (PDF). www.miaa.net. Retrieved 2011-04-07.[ permanent dead link ]
  36. "Retiring Melrose High School principal says it's the 'right time'". Wicked Local - Melrose Free Press. 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-07.

42°39′N71°32′W / 42.65°N 71.54°W / 42.65; -71.54