Type Public high school School district Medford Public Schools Staff 178.6 Mascot Mustang Number of students 1,155 (2013–2014) | Established 1835 (1835) Headmaster John Perella Phone +1 781-393-2204 District Medford Public Schools | |
Motto Empowering students to reach their potential as learners Address 489 Winthrop St, Medford, MA 02155, USA | ||
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 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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History
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.
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.
In 2012, the Medford High School Alumni Association (MHSAA)was founded. The Association serves as a networking bases among all MHS Alumni and works to give back to the MHS community.
Campus
Medford High School shares its campus and building with Medford Vocational-Technical High School in the Lawrence Estates section of Medford and on the southwest border of the Middlesex Fells Reservation.
Curriculum
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, 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.
Athletics
Medford High School is a member of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association in the Greater Boston League.
Clubs and publications
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.
Weekend school
The Japanese Language School of Boston (ボストン日本語学校 Bosuton Nihongo Gakkō), a weekend supplementary Japanese school, holds its classes at Medford High, and the school offices are in Arlington. It was established on June 7, 1975. The classes were originally held in the NEC Systems Laboratory but they began to be held at their current location after four months.
Academics, Authors, Mathematicians, and Scientists
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Elizabeth Short, cold case murder victim