Central MA’s #13 School: Hopedale Jr. Sr. High

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Features Team

Photo: http://www.hopedale.k12.ma.us/hopedalehs

Hopedale Jr. Sr. High made GoLocalWorcester's top 20 list for best high schools in Central Massachusetts. According to our rankings, it's #13 on the list, among several outstanding schools.

School Statistics

Students’ SAT scores are strong with verbal, writing and math results coming in at 528, 540, 563- respectively. This is way above the state average, which is 493, 486 and 505. The school is well below the state average for dollars spent per student. Hopedale Jr. Sr. High spends $9,390 per student, where as the state average is $13,704. The school is about half the size of most high schools in the state with 338 students during the 2010-2011 school year.

Preparing Students for Life After High School

Derek Atherton, Principal of Hopedale High School said, "We have a lot of opportunities for our students. We have a rigorous academic schedule and lots of extra curricular activities. Our student counsel is made up of 130 students. There are a lot of community service projects they are involved in. We feel like when they leave Hopedale they are prepared to work, go into the military or go college.

Internship Opportunities

Atherton said that Hopedale gives kids the opportunity to prepare for future employment. Hopedale teaches students how to interview for a job, how to pitch an idea and how to work with technology. Several students have created electronic portfolios and online journals.

Hopedale’s Mission Statement:

“To develop the intellectual potential of each student. We believe that every child can learn successfully. We are committed to developing a range of learning experiences and environments that will ensure this success. We want our young people to be happy and to be well prepared to meet their own needs and the needs of others as responsible members of society.”