Wellesley High School
Encyclopedia
Wellesley High School is a public high school in Wellesley, Massachusetts
, executing grades 9 through 12. Its current principal is Dr. Andrew Keough, who assumed the position in 2007 after the retirement of Ms. Rena Mirkin. Its two assistant principals are Lynne Novogroski and Nora Curran (interim assistant principal). As of 2008, it has over 1300 students and is one of the most academically challenging public high schools in Massachusetts. In 2007 it was ranked the 70th best public high school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
, earning a Gold Medal.
The current school building was originally built as a public works
project in 1938 during the Great Depression
, designed by Perry Shaw and Hepburn and built by M. Spinelli and Sons Co., Inc. The building has been modified with several additions throughout its existence, most recently with a new fitness center.
Of the class of 2004, 92% of students planned on attending four-year colleges, while the remaining 8% planned on attending two-year college, specialized school, or post-graduate school[2]. Many graduates attend some of the most selective and prestigious institutions in the nation. According to matriculation data provided by the high school's guidance department, the Wellesley High has been a major feeder school for NESCAC colleges.
In October 2007, a public meeting was held to introduce several options for the expansion of the school, including renovation and extension of the existing building and its demolition and replacement by a completely new structure. The site has been expanded by purchase of three adjacent properties in Seaver Street and transfer of publicly owned land.
On December 10, 2008, town voters approved the project, by nearly 2 to 1 (5,026 YES to 2,869 NO), to build a new, state-of-the art high school on the parking lot next to the existing buildings. Construction began March 2010 with an estimated completion date of early 2012. It is now expected to open in February 2012, and the school will be holding a gala to say goodbye to the old building.
After much analysis, the existing structure, although a good example of the Art Deco
style of Architecture, was found, by the American Institute of Architects
(A.I.A.), not to be a historically significant example and it will be demolished. The State authorities still hold the final say in this ruling, but the A.I.A. review should open the door to start the final site plotting. The new structure will incorporate some of the design features of the prior building and will be limited in its visual impact to be in scale with the surrounding residential neighborhood. The total cost is estimated to be $130 million with $85 million of that total to be raised from State and Federal matching funds.
Site clearance started in August, 2009 with the relocation of one house to a nearby site.
In 2005-2006, the Wellesley varsity girls ice hockey team won the state championship. The boys lacrosse team made it to three straight state finals between 2004 and 2006, managing to capture the title of state champions in 2006. In 2007 the Wellesley Raiders golf team came in 2nd in the state finals, the golf team then came in 3rd in the state finals in 2010. Then in 2008, the girls varsity basketball team defeated Millbury at the DCU Center in Worcester, bringing home Wellesley High School basketball's first ever State Championship. In 2010, the Wellesley Raiders Tennis team went undefeated (26-0) and captured Wellesley's first ever Division 1 State Championship defeating St. John's 5-0.
Varsity Sports in Wellesley for the 2008-2009 academic school year are as follows:
in the neighboring community. The first game was held on Thanksgiving
morning in 1882 at Morton Field in Needham, Massachusetts. The Wellesley High School football team was formerly named the Red Raiders, but the name was changed to simply the Raiders in the 1990s. The school continues to participate in the oldest public high school rivalry in the nation, played every Thanksgiving. On November 25, 2010, Needham High School came from behind to win in overtime, 20-17. The all-time record of the Thanksgiving rivalry game now stands with Wellesley leading at 59-55-9.
Dr. Kevin J. McDonald and Chad Weirick have worked extensively to develop the current Wellesley High School Choral Program.
There are also a total of four student-run a cappella groups that meet during after school hours: A Cappella Anonymous (co-founded by Lauren Grewal '09, Lisa Hu '09, and Gabriella Newton '09), Renagade A Cappella (co-founded by Aria Varasteh '08 and Benjamin Sung '08), Ladies First (founded by Emily Francis '09), and Madrigals (founded by Kinkie Katie '09, Nathaniel Wardwell '10, and Eleanor Mears '11).
The foreign language department regularly engages in exchange programs with students of Spanish
-, French
-, and German
-speaking countries. The German program was involved in an exchange with students from Munich, Germany in the 2005-2006 school year.
in ninth grade, chemistry
in tenth grade, biology
in eleventh grade, and physics
in twelfth grade. AP courses
are offered in chemistry
(as a second-year course), biology
, and Physics B
.
Electives in technology consist of wood manufacturing, automotive technology, and design technology. Robotics
is offered by demand. Operating without any school funding, Wellesley Botball team managed to place 1st regionally and Top 10 Internationally in 2009.
, East Asian History, Economic Theory
, Political Science
, and Sociology
. The department offers two advanced placement
courses: AP Psychology
and AP United States History
.
, who came in to speak when the school year began.
track through junior year.
Counselors spend the majority of their time working directly with students. Through individual counseling and semester-long guidance seminar classes, counselors address the developmental needs of students and provide crisis intervention. Its current director is Ms. Julie Trask.
http://fc.wellesley.k12.ma.us/~WHS_Guid/
, which gives inner-city students access to a better education, by busing them in from the City of Boston
.
DJ Adam Diliberto and Social Worker Lindsey Slotnick.
Wellesley, Massachusetts
Wellesley is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of Greater Boston. The population was 27,982 at the time of the 2010 census.It is best known as the home of Wellesley College and Babson College...
, executing grades 9 through 12. Its current principal is Dr. Andrew Keough, who assumed the position in 2007 after the retirement of Ms. Rena Mirkin. Its two assistant principals are Lynne Novogroski and Nora Curran (interim assistant principal). As of 2008, it has over 1300 students and is one of the most academically challenging public high schools in Massachusetts. In 2007 it was ranked the 70th best public high school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
, earning a Gold Medal.
History and current state
Wellesley High School is a comprehensive four year institution whose goal is to provide an outstanding educational experience to its students. Guided by a set of core values (Academic Excellence, Respect for Human Differences, Cooperative and Caring Relationships and Commitment to Community), the school maintains a high standard for its students and faculty. A culture of professionalism and collegiality exists throughout the school, with administrators and faculty working together to promote and maintain a high level of excellence. Students are challenged to achieve excellence through a rich selection of classes, extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities.The current school building was originally built as a public works
Public works
Public works are a broad category of projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community...
project in 1938 during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, designed by Perry Shaw and Hepburn and built by M. Spinelli and Sons Co., Inc. The building has been modified with several additions throughout its existence, most recently with a new fitness center.
Of the class of 2004, 92% of students planned on attending four-year colleges, while the remaining 8% planned on attending two-year college, specialized school, or post-graduate school[2]. Many graduates attend some of the most selective and prestigious institutions in the nation. According to matriculation data provided by the high school's guidance department, the Wellesley High has been a major feeder school for NESCAC colleges.
Renewal and expansion
Age and maintenance issues have taken their toll on the school structure. The increasing size of the student body as well as the evolving nature of education have challenged the capability of the building to meet the needs of the school community effectively and safely. In September, 2005, the exploration of options for a new building or refurbishment was commenced by the town.In October 2007, a public meeting was held to introduce several options for the expansion of the school, including renovation and extension of the existing building and its demolition and replacement by a completely new structure. The site has been expanded by purchase of three adjacent properties in Seaver Street and transfer of publicly owned land.
On December 10, 2008, town voters approved the project, by nearly 2 to 1 (5,026 YES to 2,869 NO), to build a new, state-of-the art high school on the parking lot next to the existing buildings. Construction began March 2010 with an estimated completion date of early 2012. It is now expected to open in February 2012, and the school will be holding a gala to say goodbye to the old building.
After much analysis, the existing structure, although a good example of the Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style of Architecture, was found, by the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
(A.I.A.), not to be a historically significant example and it will be demolished. The State authorities still hold the final say in this ruling, but the A.I.A. review should open the door to start the final site plotting. The new structure will incorporate some of the design features of the prior building and will be limited in its visual impact to be in scale with the surrounding residential neighborhood. The total cost is estimated to be $130 million with $85 million of that total to be raised from State and Federal matching funds.
Site clearance started in August, 2009 with the relocation of one house to a nearby site.
Governing bodies
- Students: Student Congress
- President -Michael D'Ortenzio Jr. (Senior), Vice-President (Senior) - Andrew Griswold, Vice-President (Junior) - Priyanka Fouda, Secretary/Treasurer (Senior) - Sophie Cushman
- Teachers: Faculty Senate
- Administrative: ATM
- Legislative: School Council
- Co-Moderator (Principal) - Dr. Andrew Keough, Co-Moderator (Student) - Michael D'Ortenzio Jr.
- For next year School Council has been changed to have eleven members: two teachers, four students, and three parents, a community member, and the Principal.
- Two student representatives are elected in Student Congress, another is the president of Student Congress, and another is appointed by Dr. Keough.
- District Wide: School Committee
- Class Officers:
- Senior Class (2012): President - Chris McKenna, Vice President - Reid Williamson, Secretary - Nina Sevilla, Treasurer - (Willie) Kitae Kim
- Junior Class (2013): President - Brian McMahon, Vice President - Michael Youniss, Secretary - Emily Hunter, Treasurer - Amanda Harkavy
- Sophomore Class (2014): President - Adam Chernew, Vice President - Aidan Cort, Secretary - Rachel Lapp, Treasurer - Joseph Mears
- Freshmen Class (2015): President- Tyler Jung, Vice President - Brendan Connors , Secretary - Valerie Remy Treasurer - Matt Jablonski
- Representatives to Greater Boston Regional Advisory Council to the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: Delegates, Michael D'Ortenzio Jr. & Priyanka Fouda
Extracurricular activities
Wellesley High School offers many after school clubs that are mostly run by students. Notable clubs include the active Debate Club, the Key Club, WHH, the Botball Robotics Team, Amnesty International, Global Connections, and the many other cultural and humanitarian-focused clubs.Sports
Wellesley participates in the Bay State Conference and consistently sends various sports teams to the Eastern Massachusetts playoffs. Over 70% of all WHS students participate in one of the 34 different offered sports at some point during their time at Wellesley High. Altogether, there are 63 varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams at the school.In 2005-2006, the Wellesley varsity girls ice hockey team won the state championship. The boys lacrosse team made it to three straight state finals between 2004 and 2006, managing to capture the title of state champions in 2006. In 2007 the Wellesley Raiders golf team came in 2nd in the state finals, the golf team then came in 3rd in the state finals in 2010. Then in 2008, the girls varsity basketball team defeated Millbury at the DCU Center in Worcester, bringing home Wellesley High School basketball's first ever State Championship. In 2010, the Wellesley Raiders Tennis team went undefeated (26-0) and captured Wellesley's first ever Division 1 State Championship defeating St. John's 5-0.
Varsity Sports in Wellesley for the 2008-2009 academic school year are as follows:
- Fall
- Football
- Boy's Soccer
- Girl's Soccer
- Field Hockey
- Cross Country
- Volleyball
- Girl's Swimming and Diving
- Golf
- Step Squad
- Winter
- Boy's Basketball
- Girl's Basketball
- Indoor Track and Field
- Boy's Hockey
- Girl's Hockey
- Boy's Swimming and Diving
- Dance Team
- Ski Team
- Wrestling
- Gymnastics
- Spring
- Softball
- Baseball
- Outdoor Track and Field
- Boy's Tennis
- Girl's Tennis
- Boy's Lacrosse
- Girl's Lacrosse
- Boy's Volleyball
- Sailing Team
- Girl's Golf
Football and Thanksgiving rivalry
The oldest public high school football rivalry in the United States began its tradition between Wellesley High School and Needham High SchoolNeedham High School
Needham High School is a public high school in Needham, Massachusetts, USA, educating grades 9 through 12. Its principal is Dr. Johnathan Pizzi, who was previously the Assistant Academic Superintendent in the Boston Public Schools System. Its two assistant principals are Mr. Jonathan Bourn and Ms...
in the neighboring community. The first game was held on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
morning in 1882 at Morton Field in Needham, Massachusetts. The Wellesley High School football team was formerly named the Red Raiders, but the name was changed to simply the Raiders in the 1990s. The school continues to participate in the oldest public high school rivalry in the nation, played every Thanksgiving. On November 25, 2010, Needham High School came from behind to win in overtime, 20-17. The all-time record of the Thanksgiving rivalry game now stands with Wellesley leading at 59-55-9.
Performing arts
- Band
- 1 o'Clock Jazz Band - Winner of many different medals at the International Association for Jazz Education.
- 2 o'Clock Jazz Band - The 2 o'clock Jazz Band was a finalist at the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition and Festival in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for the second year in a row. The group has been accepted as a finalist again in 2009 for the third time. They were also accepted in 2011, their fourth time. They won first place at the 41st Annual Berklee Jazz Festival in 2009, their second consecutive victory there. - Concert Band
- Wind Ensemble - Since the origin of the WHS Wind Ensemble, it has won the gold medal at the MICCA state finals three of the past four years, and has performed at both Mechanics Hall in Worcester and Symphony Hall in Boston.
- Orchestra (strings)
- The orchestra won a gold medal at MICCA in 2009 and performed at Symphony Hall in March.
- The Honors Chamber Orchestra won a gold medal at MICCA in 2011 and performed at Mechanics Hall in April.
- Drama Program
- The Wellesley High School Drama Society has won the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild Festival and advanced to New Englands three times in the past five years. Their most recent win was in 2010 with their production of the self-scripted Blüdpayne VII: A Fistful of Blüdpayne. In 2007, Wellesley won with their production of Dark of the Moon, and in 2006, with the self-scripted Der Waffle Haus, Ergo Leggo My Ego.
- Technical Theatre
- Choral Program
Dr. Kevin J. McDonald and Chad Weirick have worked extensively to develop the current Wellesley High School Choral Program.
-
- Brooks Brothers - The all male choir that meets in the morning three times a "cycle".
- Song Sisters - The all female choir that meets in the morning three times a "cycle".
- Concert Choir - choir open to anyone wishing to sing that meets like a major, five times a cycle.
- Keynotes - Keynotes was established in 2007. An audition-only choir, Keynotes consists of over 30 students who sing classical repertoire.
- Rice Street Singers - The Rice Street Singers consists of 17 exceptional singers. Rice Street an audition-only, jazz choir with a devotion to musical excellence, that won a gold medal and ranked first place in the UNH Jazz Festival in 2005-2006. On April 8, 2009, Rice Street earned a Gold Medal and the MAJE Jazz Festival. On April 6, 2010, the Rice Street Singers received a Gold Medal at the MAJE jazz Festival.
There are also a total of four student-run a cappella groups that meet during after school hours: A Cappella Anonymous (co-founded by Lauren Grewal '09, Lisa Hu '09, and Gabriella Newton '09), Renagade A Cappella (co-founded by Aria Varasteh '08 and Benjamin Sung '08), Ladies First (founded by Emily Francis '09), and Madrigals (founded by Kinkie Katie '09, Nathaniel Wardwell '10, and Eleanor Mears '11).
Foreign languages
Regular classes are offered in French, Spanish, German, Latin, and Mandarin Chinese (as of 2008).The foreign language department regularly engages in exchange programs with students of Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
-, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
-, and German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
-speaking countries. The German program was involved in an exchange with students from Munich, Germany in the 2005-2006 school year.
Science and technology
The science and technology department at Wellesley High School offers a comprehensive program of science education and a selection of electives in technology. The departmental sequence in science consists of earth scienceEarth science
Earth science is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences...
in ninth grade, chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
in tenth grade, biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
in eleventh grade, and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
in twelfth grade. AP courses
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...
are offered in 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...
(as a second-year course), 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....
, and Physics B
AP Physics B
AP Physics B is an Advanced Placement science course that is divided into nine different sections: Newtonian Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Waves and Optics, and Atomic and Nuclear Physics. The course is equivalent to a one-year college course that...
.
Electives in technology consist of wood manufacturing, automotive technology, and design technology. Robotics
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
is offered by demand. Operating without any school funding, Wellesley Botball team managed to place 1st regionally and Top 10 Internationally in 2009.
Social studies
The social studies department offers several elective majors, available for junior and senior students. These include Russian History, Theory of KnowledgePhilosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, East Asian History, Economic Theory
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
, and Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
. The department offers two advanced placement
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: AP Psychology
AP Psychology
The Advanced Placement Psychology course and corresponding exam is part of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program. This course is tailored for students interested in the field of psychology and as an opportunity to earn placement credit or exemption from a college-level psychology course...
and AP United States History
AP 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...
.
English
The English Department offers a comprehensive program that covers writing, poetry and literature. Students are exposed to a wide range of literature and given a strong background in writing. Opportunities exist to take variouselectives, and the department sponsors a summer reading program where a particular book is read over the summer by the entire school community. The program culminates with a school wide seminar, usually led by the author of the book, or an individual knowledgeable about the book or its subject. During the summer of 2007, students and faculty read 1776 by David McCulloughDavid McCullough
David Gaub McCullough is an American author, narrator, historian, and lecturer. He is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian award....
, who came in to speak when the school year began.
Health and fitness
The Health and Fitness Department offers a variety of courses designed to promote the current and future health of students. A variety of fitness options are provide to allow all students to participate in a fitness program that is appropriate to their level. Classes covering various health related topics are offered to ensure that students are aware of the risks and benefits that various life activities may entail.Mathematics
Standard mathematics classes include geometry freshman year, algebra sophomore year, analysis junior year and calculus and statistics senior year (all offered in varying levels). AP Calculus, both AB and BC, and AP Statistics are offered senior year. There is also a separate Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP)Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP)
The Interactive Mathematics Program is a four-year, problem-based mathematics curriculum for high schools, designed to meet the needs of both college-bound and non-college-bound students. It was one of several curricula funded by the National Science Foundation and designed around the 1989 ...
track through junior year.
Guidance
The Guidance Department provides a variety of services in three areas: personal/social, career/college, and academic counseling.Counselors spend the majority of their time working directly with students. Through individual counseling and semester-long guidance seminar classes, counselors address the developmental needs of students and provide crisis intervention. Its current director is Ms. Julie Trask.
http://fc.wellesley.k12.ma.us/~WHS_Guid/
Art
Along with elective courses leveled by ability in jewelry making, ceramics, film making, photography, digital art, and newly added creative journal making, the school offers a five-credit honors course for serious artists called Drawing and Painting Intensive. The course is taught by artist and teacher Dr. Robert Callahan and, in addition to requiring weekly homework assignments, is counted towards students' GPA.The Student Handbook
The WHS Student Handbook is given to all students attending Wellesley High School. Its purpose is to outline all the official rules of the school, such as consequences for behavior and exactly what is not allowed. A student can not be punished for anything not written in the handbook, and punishments must fit the guidelines written in the handbook. Additionally, the handbook has policies and descriptions of the various branches of School Government, such as Student Congress and Faculty Senate. Currently, any changes from to the handbook submitted by a student must go through Student Congress, and must also be voted on and approved by School Council.The Bradford
The Bradford is the Wellesley High School newspaper. The Journalism class is responsible for publishing new issues.Red Ink
Red Ink is a literary magazine with student submitted poetry, stories, and otherwise. In the 2009-2010 school year, only one edition of Red Ink was published.Child Lab
Child Lab is a developmentally appropriate laboratory preschool for 3, 4, and 5 year olds located on the ground floor of Wellesley High School. Since its inception in 1979, the Lab School has enrolled 18 children each year. It is an elective in which high school students enroll to learn about the development of young children and the best ways to approach optimum learning for the children. Child Lab is a great opportunity for high school students to learn about different ages and stages of children as well as to have the children taught by the students who have taken an interest in early childhood development.Partnership with Wellesley College
Students at WHS may take classes at Wellesley College without paying tuition, provided that the classes are not offered at WHS.METCO Program
Wellesley is a member of the METCO ProgramMETCO
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...
, which gives inner-city students access to a better education, by busing them in from the City of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
Bridge Program
Students out of school for an extended period of time due to hospitalization are eligible for this support program. It is run by former Magic 106.7WMJX
WMJX is a radio station licensed to Boston, Massachusetts. It has an Adult Contemporary format. The station's transmitter is located atop the Prudential Tower in Downtown Boston...
DJ Adam Diliberto and Social Worker Lindsey Slotnick.
Notable Alumni
- American poet Sylvia PlathSylvia PlathSylvia Plath was an American poet, novelist and short story writer. Born in Massachusetts, she studied at Smith College and Newnham College, Cambridge before receiving acclaim as a professional poet and writer...
, former Wellesley resident, remains an influence on the town and school. Ms. Plath attempted suicide while living on Elmwood Road, a story which she retold in her acclaimed work The Bell JarThe Bell JarThe Bell Jar is American writer and poet Sylvia Plath's only novel, which was originally published under the pseudonym "Victoria Lucas" in 1963. The novel is semi-autobiographical with the names of places and people changed...
.
- Wellesley High School graduate Jane CurtinJane CurtinJane Therese Curtin is an American actress and comedienne. She is commonly referred to as Queen of the Deadpan.First coming to prominence as an original cast member on Saturday Night Live in 1975, she went on to win back-to-back Emmy Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series on the 1980s...
went on to join the original cast of Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
.
- Billy SquierBilly SquierWilliam Haislip "Billy" Squier is an American rock musician. Squier had a string of arena rock hits in the 1980s. He is best known for the song "The Stroke" on his 1981 album release Don't Say No...
, a 1968 graduate, became a rock star during the late seventies and early eighties.
- Jonathan Carmen, aka "Johnny Wendell", Los Angeles based talk show host and writer/musician under the nom du plume "Johnny Angel", attended Wellesley in 1972-73.
- Richard PrestonRichard PrestonRichard Preston, born August 5, 1954 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., is a New Yorker writer and bestselling author perhaps best-known for his books about infectious disease epidemics and bioterrorism, although he has written other non-fiction works...
, a 1972 graduate, wrote the best seller The Hot ZoneThe Hot ZoneThe Hot Zone is a best-selling 1994 non-fiction bio-thriller by Richard Preston about the origins and incidents involving viral hemorrhagic fevers, particularly ebolaviruses and marburgviruses...
, later the basis of the movie OutbreakOutbreak (film)Outbreak is a 1995 American disaster film starring Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Spacey. The film was directed by Wolfgang Petersen. In addition, Outbreak features Cuba Gooding, Jr., Donald Sutherland, and Patrick Dempsey....
.
- Duncan M. RogersDuncan M. RogersDuncan M. Rogers is an American actor, writer and director. He has a BFA in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory of Music.-Biography:...
, a 1982 graduate, is an actor and award-winning filmmaker.
- Craig Mustard, a current English teacher at WHS, also works as a Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
commentator on WEEI 850 sports radioWEEIWEEI is a sports radio station in Boston, Massachusetts, that broadcasts on 850 kHz from a transmitter in Needham, Massachusetts, and is owned by Entercom Communications. The station is one of the top-rated sports talk radio stations in the nation. Studios are located in Brighton, Massachusetts...
for the weekend show "Mustard and Johnson."
- Katie RedfordKatie RedfordKatharine Redford, Esq. is a human rights lawyer and activist who is credited with spearheading a movement to hold international companies accountable for overseas abuse in their home court jurisdictions in the Western world, and in doing so, opened up new possibilities in human rights law...
, a 1986 graduate, Co-Founder and US Office Director of Earthrights International, filed Doe v. UnocalDoe v. UnocalDoe v. Unocal, was a lawsuit filed against Unocal for alleged human rights violations.-Events:In September 1997, 13 Burmese villagers filed suit against Unocal and their parent company, the Union Oil Company of California under the Alien Tort Claims Act...
(1997), the first case in which jurisdiction was granted over a corporation for human rights abuses overseas, documented in the 2006 film Total DenialTotal DenialTotal Denial is a 2006 documentary film about fifteen Burmese villagers going up against oil giants UNOCAL and TOTAL as they build the Yadana Pipeline.-Video:*, from Democracy Now! program, October 12, 2007...
- Joe Hurd, a 1987 graduate, appointed by President Obama to 'Senior Director of Trade Policy and Export Promotion at the U.S. Department of Commerce'
- Greg YaitanesGreg YaitanesGreg Yaitanes is an American television and film director.-Directing career:*Damages **"Jesus, Mary and Joe Cocker" **"A Pretty Girl in a Leotard" *Lost...
, a 1988, graduate, actor, film director, writer
- Jay HarringtonJay HarringtonJay H. Harrington III is an American actor. His most recent role was the title character in the ABC sitcom Better Off Ted.- Personal life :...
, a 1989 graduate, is an actor in Los AngelesLos Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and is now playing the titular role of Ted Crisp on the ABC sitcom "Better Off TedBetter Off TedBetter Off Ted is an American satirical situation comedy series, created and written by Victor Fresco , who also serves as the show's Executive Producer...
"'
- Adam HaslettAdam HaslettAdam Haslett is an American fiction writer. He was born in Kingston, Massachusetts and grew up in Oxfordshire, England, and Wellesley, Massachusetts. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College , the University of Iowa , and Yale Law School . He has been a visiting professor at the Iowa Writers'...
, a 1988 graduate, is an acclaimed author.
- Michaela WatkinsMichaela WatkinsMichaela Suzanne Watkins is an American comic actress, best known for her various roles as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, a regular performer with The Groundlings in Los Angeles, her recurring role as "Lucy" in the sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, and for her supporting role as...
, a 1990 graduate, was a cast member on Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
.
- David Rempis, a graduate of the class of 1993, is considered one of the premiere jazz saxophonists in the country. His work with the Vandermark Five has been noted in the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Reader, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Down Beat, as well as the Boston Globe, in which noted jazz critic Bob Blumenthal referred to him as the band's "primary firebreather."
- Aneesh RamanAneesh RamanAneesh Raman currently works at the Department of Defense.Raman was previously Speechwriter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Before joining the government, Raman was an award-winning CNN reporter and the network's first ever correspondent based in the Middle East responsible for region-wide...
, a graduate of the class of 1997, was CNN's Middle East Correspondent and is currently speechwriter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
- R. Nicholas BurnsR. Nicholas BurnsR. Nicholas Burns is a retired American diplomat. He is currently Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and a member of the Board of Directors of the school's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs...
, former US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
- Damon SantostefanoDamon SantostefanoDamon Santostefano is an American movie director and writer. He is best known for directing the 1999 Warner Brothers feature film Three To Tango starring Matthew Perry, Neve Campbell and Dylan McDermott, and for the television series Clueless....
, a 1977 graduate, director of several feature films and television shows, notably "Three to Tango" starring Matthew Perry and Neve Campbell (1999).
- Biz StoneBiz StoneChristopher Isaac "Biz" Stone is a co-founder and Creative Director of Twitter, Inc and also helped to create and launch Xanga, Blogger, Odeo, and , founded in June 2011 with his long time collaborators Evan Williams and Jason Goldman to focus on building systems that help people work together to...
, a 1992 graduate, Co-founder of Twitter and also helped make Xanga, Blogger, Odeo, and Obvious. Publisher of two books
- Stephen BurnsStephen BurnsStephen Burns is an American trumpet virtuoso, composer, and conductor. The New York Times said of his playing, "Burns uses his instrument with the lightness and flexibility of a singer in operatic arias...
, a 1978 graduate who also attended the Juilliard SchoolJuilliard SchoolThe Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
, is a world-renowned trumpeter who has performed with numerous famous orchestras.
- Phil LaakPhil LaakPhilip "Phil" C. Laak is a professional poker player, now residing in Los Angeles, California. Laak holds a World Poker Tour title, a World Series of Poker bracelet and has appeared on numerous nationally-aired television shows.-Early life:...
, title in 2004 and has appeared on numerous nationally-aired television shows.
- Darius Walker, a 1978 graduate, is currently the CNN NY Bureau Chief and winner of several Emmy awards.