Needham High School

History

Needham High School is situated on a hill overlooking Memorial Park, and is located at approximately the geographical center of town. The original building was dedicated in 1930. As a result of the town's rapid growth following World War II, additions were opened in 1955 and in 1967. These newer additions were demolished in 2008 due to renovation of the school. The school underwent a $62-million renovation consisting of a new wing which was opened in the fall of 2006 and another smaller wing opened in the fall of 2007. The renovated high school offers laboratory facilities, computer equipment, and Smart Boards throughout the school.

Needham High School is an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The reaccreditation report issued in 1998 states, "Needham High School is an excellent school. Through student achievements and a positive environment for learning, Needham High School has consistently demonstrated outstanding and rigorous achievement. The dedicated highly able, and talented faculty and staff ensure that the needs of students are met in ways that exceed the expectations of the community. Needham High School is a source of pride to the community largely due to its rich history of accomplishment from previous and current students and to its large record of achievement."

Governing bodies

Each year the four classes hold elections to determine class president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and three class representatives. The collective term for these positions is Student Council, and each class's Student Council is responsible for community and fundraising activities for the class, including bake sales, semi formal dances, and charity donations. Other governing bodies:

Teachers: Advisory Board

Legislative: School Council

District Wide: School Committee

Sports

Students in Needham participate in athletic activities throughout the school year. Needham High School is a member of the Bay State Conference of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and Needham competes with other towns in the state. The schools colors are gold, navy blue and white. The Needham High School mascot is a rocket, chosen in the 1950s based on Cold War tensions. Prior to that, the school's mascot was a pansy, based on the town flower.

Fall sports

Football (Varsity, JV, Freshman)

Boys' and Girls' soccer (Varsity, JV, Freshman)

(Girls' Varsity won the 2015 Division 1 State Championship) (Boys' Varsity won 2012 and 2014 division 1 state championship)

Field hockey (Varsity, JV, Freshman)

Girls' volleyball (Varsity, JV, Freshman)

Girls' swimming and diving (Varsity, JV)

Cross country (Varsity, JV) (Girls' Varsity were the 2013, 2014, and 2015 state champions)

Cheerleading (Varsity, Club)

Golf (Varsity)

Dance Team (Varsity, Club)

Winter sports

Boys' and Girls' Hockey (Varsity, JV)

Boys' Swimming (Varsity)

Boys' and Girls' Indoor Track (Varsity, JV)

Ski Team (Varsity, JV)

Boys' & Girls' Basketball (Varsity, JV, Freshman)

Cheerleading (Varsity, Club)

Gymnastics (Varsity, JV)

Wrestling (Varsity, JV)

Dance Team (Varsity, Club)

Squash (Club)

Spring Sports

Lacrosse (Varsity, JV, Freshman)

Baseball (Varsity, JV, Freshman)

Softball (Varsity, JV, Freshman)

Tennis (Varsity, JV)

Spring Track

Boys' Volleyball (Varsity, JV)

Boys' Rugby (Varsity, JV)

Club Sports

The Ultimate Team was founded in 2001. It was ranked 9th in the country in 2004, 7th in 2007, and again 7th in 2010. The team beat Amherst Regional High School March 24, 2007, ending ARHS' 4 year long win streak dating back to April 2003. The State Finals of Needham vs. ARHS in 2007 was named by the Ultimate Players Association as the best State Finals ever played because of an epic collapse by The Rockets. Needham took an early lead and held it throughout the game until reaching 11–8, but preceded to fold to a strong Amherst side which stormed back with a 6–1 run to win 14–12. The team reached the UPA High School Eastern Championships in 2007(T-3), 2009(T-7), 2010 (2nd), and 2011 (T-7). In both 2012 and 2013, the team came in second place at the USAU Northeasterns Championship losing to Amherst 13–2 and then Lexington 8–6. In 2013, the team beat ARHS in the semi-finals of the MA State Championship but lost again to Lexington, 11–9 in a rematch of the USAU Northeasterns Championship. The team is coached by alumni from the 2004 team, Dan Hourigan and Jimmy Foster, but throughout the fall and pre-spring seasons it is largely student run and directed. There is also a B-team which plays locally and Girls' Team formed in the spring of 2009.

The Needham Rugby team was established in 2007 by a group of male and female students interested in forming a rugby club at the high school. For the first year of the program, the club was only able to field a partial girls side, however since then, the program has grown and includes over 40 active members on the boys' roster. The boys' rugby team will be entering their third year as a Varsity sport, competing in the Massachusetts Youth Based Rugby Organization (MYRO). The boys' rugby club participates in the Division 1 Conference against BC High, St. Johns Prep, Bishop Hendricken, Xaverian, and Belmont High School. The girls' team that once folded is now trying to rebuild and establish themselves in the 2015 spring season as a club team. The head coach of the boys' team is Wellness teacher, Diana Parkhurst.

Football and Thanksgiving Rivalry

The football team is known as the Rockets. The school continues to participate in the oldest public high school rivalry in the nation, between Needham, Massachusetts and Wellesley. The game is played every Thanksgiving and began its tradition in 1882 when Wellesley player Arthur Judson Oldman challenged the Needham team. The game was played at Wellesley's Morton Field and had little in common with modern football. The rivalry has continued uninterrupted since the event, with Wellesley maintaining the slight edge, 61–59–9. The Thanksgiving game of 2015, played at Fenway Park, resulted in the Rockets winning against the Raiders. The final score was 12–7.

Performing arts

The Needham High School's Performing Arts department was run by director J. Scott Brumit until his retirement after the 2007 musical. In 2006 the musical West Side Story was sold out in the week before the show.

Another performing arts group at Needham High School is the Dance Team. The Dance Team is in its sixth year, and was only recently recognized as a Varsity Sport as opposed to a Club team. The team performs at football and basketball home games during halftime. In 2003 they came in first place at a National Competition in Orlando, Florida, and got to perform their routine before the Outback Bowl in front of 17,000 people. In 2009, the Dance Team won the state title, beating out fellow Bay State Conference rival Braintree. The Dance Team recently took home 1st place in both the 2011 Bay State conference as well as the 2011 State competition, once again beating out fellow rival Braintree.

Other clubs and teams

The school has over thirty extracurricular clubs and activities including a Speech and Debate Team a Mock Trial Team, Four Square Club and a Dodgeball club. The Four Square Club is the current world record-holder for the longest continuous four square game, while the Dodgeball team has produced winners at local and national tournaments and competition. Needham High School has a robotics club with two FIRST Tech Challenge teams, the HackHers and T-10, which frequently reach state competitions. T-10 also attended the Australian invitational competition in 2014, and advanced to super-regional competition in the 2015-2016 season. The school has a math team which participates in GBML(Greater Boston Mathematics League) and other competitions. Needham High School's extracurricular organizations are coordinated by faculty advisors although they have student-elected officials and are largely run by students.

Foreign languages

Classes are offered in French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Latin. The foreign language program offers beginning courses in all the languages as well as logical continuation sequences from the middle school language programs. French, Spanish, and Mandarin courses extend from introductory levels to Advanced Placement courses. A program called INDEX, short for independent exploration, allows high-ability and highly motivated students to pursue languages or levels which are not offered.

Science

The science department offers a laboratory-based science curriculum. The departmental sequence in science consists of biology in ninth grade, physics in tenth grade, chemistry in eleventh grade, and Advanced Placement and elective courses in the twelfth grade. AP courses are offered in chemistry, biology, and physics. Science elective courses offered at Needham High School include Environmental Science, 20th Century Physics, Marine Biology, Introduction to Astronomy, and Anatomy and Physiology.

Social studies

The social studies department requires students to complete a three-year sequence including World History (9th grade), World and American History (10th grade), and an American History course (11th grade). The social studies department also offers a several elective majors, available for junior and senior students. These include Psychology and Sociology, Economics, the World Since 1945, American Legal System, and Chinese Traditions. The department offers three advanced placement courses: AP United States History, AP United States Government, and AP Psychology.

Mathematics

The mathematics department requires students to complete a three-year sequence including Algebra II (9th grade), Geometry (10th grade), and an pre-calculus (11th grade). AP level courses include AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics. In addition, Computer Science courses are offered at the introductory and AP levels. In 2013 an introductory robotics class was added as well.

Fine and performing arts

Along with elective fine arts courses in architectural design, graphic design, ceramics, photography, production printing, the school offers a four-year art sequence. Additionally, the school offers several courses in the performing arts, such as Orchestra and Chorus. Certain music courses at Needham High Schools, such as Concert Chorale and Jazz Ensemble require an audition and have practices and rehearsals after school; additionally, there is an after-school chorus course for students who are not able to take chorus during the day. The Fine and Performing Arts department offers two Advanced Placement courses: AP Music Theory and AP Studio Art. Certain courses (particularly the second, third, and fourth-year courses) in the art sequence, as well as the AP Music Theory course, are weighted into a student's GPA. As a graduation requirement, Needham High School requires that students complete the equivalent of two full year art courses.

Community classroom

As a graduation requirement, students must earn two community classroom credits. Students may earn one credit by either completing thirty hours of community service or alternatively by at least twelve hours of work per week for one semester during the school year. Community service opportunities include volunteer service as well as internships. Only one credit may be earned through work experience.

METCO Program

Needham is a member of the METCO Program, which allows Boston students to attend the school.

Notable alumni and teachers

Eric Johnson, Former NFL Tight End, most notably for the San Francisco 49ers. Currently married to singer Jessica Simpson.

Mike Tannenbaum, Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Miami Dolphins

Bert and John Jacobs, founders of the 'Life is Good' T-shirt company

Robbie Ftorek, NHL coach and player, born and raised in Needham(Class of 1970)

Karl Ravech, ESPN Baseball Tonight anchor, born and raised in Needham

Sarah Saltzberg, actress/singer, star of Broadway's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Jeff Taylor, founder of Monster.com

Sunita Williams graduated from Needham High School in 1983, U.S. Naval Academy graduate, currently a NASA astronaut

Lee Eisenberg, film and television writer (Year One, The Office)

Charles D. Baker, current Governor of Massachusetts

Aly Raisman, Olympic gold medalist for gymnastics in London 2012 and Rio 2016

Steven Hauschka, NFL Kicker for the Seattle Seahawks

Dillon Pieri, 2014 Division I Varsity Men's Ice Hockey National Champion for Union College

James S. Gracey, former Commandant of the United States Coast Guard

Distinguished Career Award

The George A. Dennett Distinguished Career Award has been established to recognize former Needham High School students who have gone on to distinguished careers in their chosen fields. By making a significant contribution to society, these alumni bring honor to their school and community, and serve as inspirations and role models to the students of Needham. The Distinguished Career Awards were first presented in 1990, and the ceremony has become a revered fall tradition for the junior class and members of the Needham community. Each October, Needham High School celebrates graduates who have made a difference in the world.

2016

Jessica Minahan – Class of 1993 – Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Author, and Special Educator

Katie Hallahan Rahhal – Class of 1998 – Co-founder, Public Relations Director, and Game Designer, Phoenix Online Studios

Karl Ravech – Class of 1983 –Television Sports Anchor/Play by Play ESPN

2015

Kimberly Bookman – Class of 1994 –Television Reporter WHDH TV/7 News

Amy Brooks – Class of 1986 – On-air Radio Personality and Voice Talent WBOS Radio 92.9 FM

Paul Cropper – Class of 1985 – Director of Sales, Cisco Systems

2014

Sarah Saltzberg – Class of 1994 – Writer/Actress/Producer and Owner of Bohemia Realty Group

Michael Sullivan – Class of 1984 – International Attorney & Human Rights Lecturer Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

Suzanne Wilcox – Class of 1969 – Former Principal of Eliot Elementary School Needham Public Schools

2013

Brenda Gael McSweeney – Class of 1961 – Faculty and Scholar, Boston & Brandeis Universities

Kunal Shah – Class of 2000 – Group Manager of Rentals, Zillow

George A. Dennett – Honorary

2012

Nancy Anderson – Class of 1988 – Singer & Actress

Mark Becker – Class of 1987 – Documentary Filmmaker, Meteor Films

Jeffrey S. Sallet – Class of 1988 – Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston, Certified Financial Forensics, CPA

Francis Nizzari (Posthumous Award) – Class of 1957

2011

Robert D. Whalen, Jr. – Class of 1975 – Head Baseball Coach, Dartmouth College

Suzanne Shusterman-Winneg – Class of 1985 – Pediatric Oncologist, Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Richard W. Davis – Class of 1961 – Former CEO and current Board Chair, Provider Insurance Group, Inc.

Dr. Lee Allen (Posthumous Award) – Class of 1955

2010

William E. Tilburg – Class of 1965 – Community Service Activist, President; Global Travel Advisors

Tom Pugh – Class of 1973 – CoFounder, Co-Exectutive Director, Plugged -In; Engineer WGBH Boston

Sandra Rizkallah – Class of 1981 – Co-Founder, Co-Executive Director, Plugged -In

Mark Wolfe – Class of 1980 – Film & Television Producer; Partner in Burton/Wolfe Entertainment

2009

Steven Gross – Class of 1985 – Founder and Chief Playmaker of Project Joy

Leslie Woodies – Class of 1970 – Director, Choreographer, Master Teacher

Lisabeth Scott – Class of 1976 – Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Producer

2008

Anne Collins – Class of 1979 – Associate General Counsel, Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Thomas Lambert – Class of 1973 – Founder NHS Dance Team Coach, Manufacturer’s Representative, Community Service

Carol Hasenfus Stento – Class of 1976 – Chief of Police, Holliston, Massachusetts

2007

Rev. Denise H. Brown – Class of 1977 – Clergy and Specialized Ministry

James G Healy – Class of 1977 – Attorney at Law, Needham Selectman

Sunita L. Pandya Williams – Class of 1983 – NASA Astronaut and Naval Aviator

2006

John F. Akers – Class of 1952 – CEO and chairman of the Board, IBM (retired)

Michael Aronson – Class of 1981 – Pulizer Prize winner, Editorial Board, New York Daily News

Albert and John Jacobs – Class of 1986 – Co-founders, Life is good, Inc.

2005

Paul F. Buckley Jr. – Class of 1979 – Fire Chief, Town of Needham

Karen Carleton – Class of 1976 – Research Associate Professor in Zoology, University of New Hampshire

John P. O’Leary – Class of 1980 – Commissioner, Mass. Division of Unemployment Assistance

2004

Charles D. Baker – Class of 1975 – President and C.E.O., Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Inc.

Martha Miceli Healy – Class of 1976 – Early Childhood/Preschool Special Education Teacher

Jeffrey C. Taylor – Class of 1978 – Entrepreneur, C.E.O., monster.com

Katharine Lee Bates (Posthumous Award) – Class of 1874

2003

Kimberly Hinden – Class of 1983 – Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Massachusetts

Lt. Colonel Paul O’Leary – Class of 1978 – Battelion Commander United States Marine Corps

Michael Brian Tannenbaum – Class of 1987 – Asst. General Manager, New York Jets Director of Personnel

2002

Kevin Gottlieb – Class of 1960 – Professor – Public Administration

William M. Harris – Class of 1968 – Chief Operating Officer

Paul W. Robey III – Class of 1964 – Executive Vice-President

2001

Penelope Schneider Calf – Class of 1964 – Language Teacher, Field Hockey Coach

Robert A. DiPoli – Class of 1967 – Chief, Needham Fire Department

Alan K. Stern – Class of 1982 – Pediatrician, Vice Chairman of Board of Health

2000

John Breda – Class of 1972 – Professional Musician, Performing Artist, Physician

Steven B. Larsen – Class of 1977 – Insurance Commissioner State of Maryland

Robert “Cap” Raeder – Class of 1972 – Professional Hockey Player, Scout, Hockey Coach

1999

Vincent Fantegrossi – Class of 1969 – Athlete, Entrepreneur

Andrea Morgan Matthews – Class of 1974 – Performing Artist, Teacher

George Twigg, III – Class of 1950 – Marketing Representative, Community Service Activist

1998

Elizabeth Lamb de la Vega – Class of 1969 – Assistant United States Attorney

James Lehr Kennedy – Class of 1966 – Entrepreneur, Economist, Innovator, Educator

Philip Vincent Robey – Class of 1964 – Manufacturer’s Representative, Community Service and Activist

David A. Barrett (Posthumous Award) – Class of 1945

1997

William L. Healy – Class of 1970 – Orthopedic Surgeon

Mary Catherine Mazzio – Class of 1979 – Attorney, Olympic Rower, & Filmmaker

George F. Skinner – Class of 1946 – Educator, Realtor, Major, USAF (Ret.)

1996

Bryan E. Carlson – Class of 1963 – President, Mount Ida College

Colin B. Gracey – Class of 1953 – Chaplin, Northeastern University

Susan Glover Gracey – Class of 1952 – Teacher & Court Reporter

Alan L. Meltzer – Class of 1969 – Founder & Owner, Meltzer & Associates

Laurie Ann Newman (Posthumous Award) – Class of 1971

1995

Samuel R. Cohn – Class of 1972 – Associate Professor of Sociology

George L. Kline – Class of 1938 – Educator and Writer

Carol Wallace Orr – Class of 1951 – Book Publisher

1994

Cheryl Jacques – Class of 1980 – Massachusetts State Senator

Stephanie Kalin – Class of 1937 – Director, Needham Community Council

Richard Wainwright – Class of 1954 – Educator and Publisher

1993

Leonard W. Cronkhite, Jr., M.D. – Class of 1937- Physician, Consultant, Research Foundation Executive

Kent W. Jarrell – Class of 1969 – National Correspondent, WUSA – TV

Patricia Saumsiegle Rabe – Class of 1969 – Senior Producer, Random House, Inc.

1992

Gary M. Gillis – Class of 1973 – Sportscaster, WHDH – TV 7

Donald Mackenzie – Class of 1954 – President, CEO, Chair, NYNEX Info. Resources, Inc.

Michael D. O’Neal – Class of 1978 – President, CEO, Fathers Inc.

Dana W. Brown (Posthumous Award) – Class of 1944

1991

Gwen Grabowski Krivi – Class of 1968 – Senior Fellow, Monsanto Co.

Ralph E. Leader – Class of 1939 – Major General, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), Business Executive

Richard E. Wylie – Class of 1959 – President, Endicott College

1990

Frank H. Dodge – Class of 1955 – Founder & President, Frank Dodge Associates, Inc.

James S. Gracey – Class of 1945 – Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.)

Brian J Kelley – Class of 1974 – Major, U.S. Air Force