Wakefield High School (Wakefield, Massachusetts)
Encyclopedia
Wakefield Memorial High School is a public school located in Wakefield, Massachusetts
that offers a broad range of Advanced Placement Program
courses.
As of the 2007-08 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,006 students and 83 classroom teachers (on an FTE
basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 12.1.
The assistant principals are Mr. O'Leary and Ms. Farrar. The Director of Guidance is A.J. Beebe and the four guidance counselors are Suzanne Burns, Richard McKenna, Kathryn O'Maley, and Brian Robertson. WHS began offering Italian
classes for the 2008-2009 school year through a special grant. The newspaper underwent a makeover as well: the new name is the WHS exPress and it is published in newsprint
instead of on white paper.
, AP Statistics
, AP Biology
, AP Chemistry
, AP Macroeconomics
, AP Computer Science
Senior year: AP United States Government and Politics
, AP English
, AP Calculus AB, AP Physics
, AP Spanish
, AP Television Production (conditional, i.e. New England Institute of Art
)
Winter Sports: Indoor Track, Basketball, Hockey, Swimming (Northeast Vocational), Wrestling
Spring Sports: Outdoor Track, Baseball, Lacrosse, Boys and Girls Tennis, Softball
Under Head Coach Mike Boyages, the football team has achieved an overall record of 89–34–3 in his eleven years leading the team since 1997. The team has won the Middlesex League Championship seven times under Boyages, in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001,making it to the Division II "Super Bowl" State Championships each of those years. In 1999, the team earned its first Super Bowl Championship, with a 13–7 win over Acton-Boxboro High School.
In 1997, both the boys' and girls' basketball teams from Wakefield High School won Division II state championships, and the boys soccer team won the state title that same year, defeating East Long Meadow High School 1-0 to win the state championship.
The 2007-2008 Girls Ice Hockey team advanced to the state championship game for the first time in Wakefield history.
In the fall of 2008, the varsity dance team (under the direction of Candice Spencer and Stacey Gargano) took 3rd place in the MSSAA State Dance Tournament.
In the fall of 2009, the varsity dance team (under the direction of Candice Spencer) took 3rd place in the division of High School Varsity Dance and took 3rd place overall in the entire Dance Division at the New England Cheer and Dance Tournament. In the fall of 2009, the varsity dance team was honored with the team academic excellence award from the MSSAA.
The 2010-2011 boys hockey team made it all the way to the Division One Championship at the TD Garden but unfortunately lost in a close game. The team are the 2010-2011 Division One North Hockey Champions.
The Drama Club, which is headed by English and Theatre teacher Emily Holmes, puts on three productions each year; one in the fall, a 40 minute piece in the winter (which they bring to the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild
One-Act Festival), and a musical in the spring.
On February 28, 2009, the Drama Club competed in the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild
One-Act Festival, performing their play, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus
by Christopher Marlowe
at Newburyport High School
in Newburyport, Massachusetts
. WHS was one of three schools to move on to the semi-final round. In addition to securing a spot in the semi-finals, Wakefield received awards for excellence in set design, costumes, and three for acting.
Wakefield High School participates in the METCO
program, a grant program funded by the Commonwealth intended to reduce racial imbalance. Students from the inner-city are given the opportunity to attend Wakefield High School.
Wakefield, Massachusetts
-History:-Geography:The diagram above shows what is to the east, west, north, south, and other directions of the center of Wakefield. Towns with population above 25,000 are in bold italics.-Demographics:-Notable residents:...
that offers a broad range of Advanced Placement Program
Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
courses.
As of the 2007-08 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,006 students and 83 classroom teachers (on an FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 12.1.
Academics
The 2008-2009 school year marks the first drastic scheduling change in over ten years. WHS switched to a more traditional schedule (as opposed to a block schedule). Six blocks meet each day as opposed to five. Periods condensed to 54 minutes from 74 minutes.The assistant principals are Mr. O'Leary and Ms. Farrar. The Director of Guidance is A.J. Beebe and the four guidance counselors are Suzanne Burns, Richard McKenna, Kathryn O'Maley, and Brian Robertson. WHS began offering Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
classes for the 2008-2009 school year through a special grant. The newspaper underwent a makeover as well: the new name is the WHS exPress and it is published in newsprint
Newsprint
Newsprint is a low-cost, non-archival paper most commonly used to print newspapers, and other publications and advertising material. It usually has an off-white cast and distinctive feel. It is designed for use in printing presses that employ a long web of paper rather than individual sheets of...
instead of on white paper.
Advanced Placement Course offerings
Junior and Senior year: AP United States HistoryAP United States History
Advanced Placement United States History is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program...
, AP Statistics
AP Statistics
Advanced Placement Statistics is a college-level high school statistics course offered in the United States through the College Board's Advanced Placement program...
, AP Biology
AP Biology
In the United States, Advanced Placement Biology , is a course and examination offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn placement credit for a college-level biology course....
, AP Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Advanced Placement Chemistry is a course and examination offered by the College Board as a part of the Advanced Placement Program to give American and Canadian high school students the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and earn college-level credit.-The course:AP Chemistry is a course...
, AP Macroeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
Advanced Placement Macroeconomics is a course offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program for high school students interested in college-level work in economics...
, AP Computer Science
AP Computer Science
Advanced Placement Computer Science is the name of two distinct Advanced Placement courses and examinations offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn college credit for a college-level computer science course...
Senior year: AP United States Government and Politics
AP United States Government and Politics
Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics, also known as AP US Gov & Pol, AP US Gov, AP Go Po or AP Gov, is a college-level course and examination offered to high school students through the College Board's Advanced Placement Program...
, AP English
AP English
AP English can stand for two distinct Advanced Placement Programs provided by the College Board:*AP English Language and Composition*AP English Literature and Composition...
, AP Calculus AB, AP Physics
AP Physics
AP Physics defines three categories of high school physics courses: A, B, and C. Category A refers to general introductory physics courses that are not mathematically rigorous...
, AP Spanish
AP Spanish
AP Spanish can stand for two distinct Advanced Placement Programs provided by the College Board:*AP Spanish Language*AP Spanish Literature...
, AP Television Production (conditional, i.e. New England Institute of Art
New England Institute of Art
The New England Institute of Art is a for-profit applied arts college that offers year-round education, located in Brookline, Massachusetts. The school was founded in 1952 as the Norm Prescott School of Broadcasting and is now one of the 45 Art Institutes in North America. The school offers ten...
)
Athletics
Fall Sports: Football, Soccer, Cross Country, Swimming (Girls), Golf (Boys) and Field Hockey (Girls), Varsity DanceWinter Sports: Indoor Track, Basketball, Hockey, Swimming (Northeast Vocational), Wrestling
Spring Sports: Outdoor Track, Baseball, Lacrosse, Boys and Girls Tennis, Softball
Under Head Coach Mike Boyages, the football team has achieved an overall record of 89–34–3 in his eleven years leading the team since 1997. The team has won the Middlesex League Championship seven times under Boyages, in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001,making it to the Division II "Super Bowl" State Championships each of those years. In 1999, the team earned its first Super Bowl Championship, with a 13–7 win over Acton-Boxboro High School.
In 1997, both the boys' and girls' basketball teams from Wakefield High School won Division II state championships, and the boys soccer team won the state title that same year, defeating East Long Meadow High School 1-0 to win the state championship.
The 2007-2008 Girls Ice Hockey team advanced to the state championship game for the first time in Wakefield history.
In the fall of 2008, the varsity dance team (under the direction of Candice Spencer and Stacey Gargano) took 3rd place in the MSSAA State Dance Tournament.
In the fall of 2009, the varsity dance team (under the direction of Candice Spencer) took 3rd place in the division of High School Varsity Dance and took 3rd place overall in the entire Dance Division at the New England Cheer and Dance Tournament. In the fall of 2009, the varsity dance team was honored with the team academic excellence award from the MSSAA.
The 2010-2011 boys hockey team made it all the way to the Division One Championship at the TD Garden but unfortunately lost in a close game. The team are the 2010-2011 Division One North Hockey Champions.
Performing arts
The Warrior Marching Band competes in the MICCA competitions every year. Their 2008 show was "A Moonwalk Through Time," was collection of Michael Jackson music and featuring the musicians dancing the Thriller in the midst of their performance. The band came in first place in their division at NESBA Finals and won a gold medal for the first time since 2003. Wakefield hosts its own MICCA competition every October at Landrigan Field. The Warrior Marching Band is the last band to perform. The new director and Music Program Facilitator for Wakefield Schools is Mr. Thomas Bankert.The Drama Club, which is headed by English and Theatre teacher Emily Holmes, puts on three productions each year; one in the fall, a 40 minute piece in the winter (which they bring to the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild
Massachusetts High School Drama Guild
The Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild, commonly known as METG and previously known as the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild until its name changed in 2010 is, according to their website, an organisation "for the charitable and educational purpose of promoting and strengthening excellence,...
One-Act Festival), and a musical in the spring.
On February 28, 2009, the Drama Club competed in the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild
Massachusetts High School Drama Guild
The Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild, commonly known as METG and previously known as the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild until its name changed in 2010 is, according to their website, an organisation "for the charitable and educational purpose of promoting and strengthening excellence,...
One-Act Festival, performing their play, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus
The Tragicall History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus, commonly referred to simply as Doctor Faustus, is a play by Christopher Marlowe, based on the Faust story, in which a man sells his soul to the devil for power and knowledge...
by Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe was an English dramatist, poet and translator of the Elizabethan era. As the foremost Elizabethan tragedian, next to William Shakespeare, he is known for his blank verse, his overreaching protagonists, and his mysterious death.A warrant was issued for Marlowe's arrest on 18 May...
at Newburyport High School
Newburyport High School
Newburyport High School is a public high school serving students in ninth through twelfth grades in Newburyport, Massachusetts and is part of the Newburyport Public School System...
in Newburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport is a small coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 35 miles northeast of Boston. The population was 21,189 at the 2000 census. A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes part of Plum Island...
. WHS was one of three schools to move on to the semi-final round. In addition to securing a spot in the semi-finals, Wakefield received awards for excellence in set design, costumes, and three for acting.
Demographics
The racial makeup of Wakefield High School is: 94% White, 3% Black, 2% Hispanic and 1% Asian/American Indian.Wakefield High School participates in the METCO
METCO
METCO stands for the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity. Founded in 1966 in Boston, Massachusetts, METCO is the longest continuously running voluntary school desegregation program in the country and a national model for the few other voluntary desegregation busing programs currently...
program, a grant program funded by the Commonwealth intended to reduce racial imbalance. Students from the inner-city are given the opportunity to attend Wakefield High School.
Notable alumni
- Scott BrownScott BrownScott Brown is a United States senator.Scott Brown may also refer to:-Sportsmen:*Scott Brown , American college football coach of Kentucky State...
, Massachusetts State SenatorMassachusetts SenateThe Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Senate comprises 40 elected members from 40 single-member senatorial districts in the state...
and US Senator - Stephen CarriereStephen CarriereStephen Carriere is an American figure skater. He is the 2008 U.S. bronze medalist, the 2007 World Junior Champion, and the 2006-07 Junior Grand Prix Final champion.- Personal life :...
(2007 Graduate), 2007 World Junior Champion2007 World Junior Figure Skating ChampionshipsThe 2007 World Junior Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition. The event is open to figure skaters from ISU member nations who have reached the age of 13 by July 1 of the previous year, but have not yet turned 19. The upper age limit for men competing in pairs and dance...
in figure skating (men's singles) - David DellingerDavid DellingerDavid T. Dellinger , was an influential American radical, a pacifist and activist for nonviolent social change.-Chicago Seven:...
, Radical pacifist and member of the Chicago SevenChicago SevenThe Chicago Seven were seven defendants—Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, and Lee Weiner—charged with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges related to protests that took place in Chicago, Illinois on the occasion of the 1968... - Israel HorovitzIsrael HorovitzIsrael Horovitz is an American playwright and screenwriter.-Theatre career:An American dramatist, Horovitz has written more than 70 produced plays, many of which have been translated and performed in more than 30 languages worldwide . The 70/70 Horovitz Project was created by NYC Barefoot Theatre...
, Playwright - Mark KumpelMark KumpelMark Alan Kumpel is a former American ice hockey player.Selected by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Kumpel also played for the Detroit Red Wings and Winnipeg Jets....
, Member of the 1984 US Olympic Ice Hockey Team and former NHL player with the Winnipeg Jets, Quebec Nordiques, and the Detroit Red Wings - Dave LaphamDave LaphamDave Lapham , is a former professional football offensive lineman for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals from 1974 to 1983 and the United States Football League's New Jersey Generals...
, Cincinnati Bengals radio broadcaster and formerly a player for the Bengals and USFL team the New Jersey Generals - Marcia PankratzMarcia PankratzMarcia Anne Pankratz is a former field hockey forward from the United States, who participated in two Summer Olympics. In 1988 she finished in eighth position with Team USA, in 1996 she claimed the fifth spot.A spirited vice-captain of the USA team, Pankratz helped spark the USA squad from 1985-1996...
, Member of the 1988 and 1996 Olympic field hockey team and former head coach of field hockey at the University of Michigan - Trevor Phipps, Singer from UnearthUnearthUnearth is an American metalcore band from Winthrop, Massachusetts. Formed in 1998, the group has released five studio albums. Their fourth record, The March was released on October 14, 2008 meeting with high positive reception by many...
- Jon Meuse, Owner of Jon Meuse Electrical
- Matthew Surette, Thinks he should be on this page. Matty Ice is his pretend rap group. He has yet to graduate.
External links
- Official WHS Home Page
- Statistical data for Wakefield High School, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- The Wakefield Étudiant
- WHS TV 15 Productions