Groton Dunstable Regional High School

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. 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.

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. On Monday, December 5, 1859 the first public high school opened in the lower hall of the Town House (Town Hall). 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 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. A new high school was built in 1927. Now known as the recently closed Prescott Elementary, it continued to be known as the Butler School for some time.

The regional school district was established in 1967 with the high school located on Main St. in Groton. In 1997, the school adopted 4x4 block scheduling. 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." With the student population expanding from 370 in 1993 to its current levels, a new building was needed. In 2003 at cost of $35 million, 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. 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 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 which hosts both school and local community performances. Also located within the school is Public-access television cable TV station, The Groton Channel.

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. The quality of drinking water at the school had been a concern since the new building's completion in 2003.

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 (Integrated Science is required), 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 courses to 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 French, 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 (B). 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.

Athletics

Groton-Dunstable is a member of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and competes in the Midland Wachusett League B.

Basketball

The boys' basketball team were state finalists in 2002, and 2004. The girls' team were state semifinalists in 1998.

Football

The football team's first year was 2008. It is privately funded and not funded by GDRHS.

Golf

The boys' golf team is coached by David Bean. The team plays at the Groton Country Club in Groton, MA. They recently won the MIAA Division II Districts in the 2010-2011 Fall season for the first time in team history.

Ice Hockey

They won the Russell Conference in 2010. They had 11 wins and 2 losses in the 2010-11 school year. Boys' Ice Hockey State Champions 2012

Lacrosse

Groton-Dunstable had a great lacrosse season in 2010 and went to the finals. They graduated many seniors but are well prepared for the year to come. They were the MIAA Division 2 Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2009-10 season. The girls' lacrosse team were 2015 District Champions.

Skiing

GD's Alpine skiing team was the MIAA Sportsmanship Award winner for the 2008-09 season.

Soccer

The boys' Soccer team has won state titles in 1999, 2001, 2011, 2012 and were also Division 1 State Finalists in 2015. The girls' team were state semi-finalists in 2004.

Swimming

The 2010-2011 season was the first year of GD's swim team as they joined with Tyngsborough's existing team. They competed in the State Finals in 2011.

Track, field, and cross country

The boys' team has many accomplishments include many league championships, District relays championship and Class championships. The Boys' and Girls' Cross Country teams have also had their share of runner's up in the District State Qualifier Meets, Men 1998,2001 and 2003. Women 2008. The boys also finished 3rd in state in 2004.

Ultimate Frisbee

The Groton-Dunstable Ultimate Team was founded in 2013 by then senior Liam Henry. They competed in the state tournament for the first time in 2014. Under the tutelage of coach Daniel Reid the program has a bright future.

Clubs and publications

Groton-Dunstable offers a variety of clubs, most of which are student run and are formed by submitting a charter to an administrator and securing a faculty advisor. They range from academic clubs such as the Science, Latin, and Spanish Clubs, as well as the Music Honor Society, to recreational clubs such as the Anime Club, Book Club, Outdoor Club and Jam Club. Since 2009 Groton-Dunstable has had an Environmental Club which advocates sustainability and a greener community for the school and town. Some clubs are organized around competitions such as FIRST Robotics and the Envirothon. Others are focused on political interests including the Young Republicans and Amnesty International. Members of the Drama Guild perform in the school's Black Box Theatre. The Literary Magazine (Velocity) and Yearbook are produced by their respective club members. Additional activities include a Bible Study Group, Photography Club, Dance Club, American Sign Language, and Ski Club. The Chamber Chorus, although part of the music course offerings, has participated in a number of extracurricular competitions. In 2010, they won the Grand Sweepstakes Award, the top honor of the Music Showcase Festival in Hershey Park, PA, out of a field of nearly 200 schools.

Notable alumni

Principals