Needham High School is a public high school in Needham, Massachusetts, educating grades 9 through 12. Aaron Sicotte is the principal of Needham High School. Its three assistant principals are Alison Coubrough-Argentieri, Mary Kay Alessi, and Pierre Jean. As of 2016, the school had 1,644 students and over 201 part-time and full-time instructional staff members, plus support staff employees. Needham High School was awarded a gold medal by U.S. News & World Report for its academic excellence. The school is ranked as the 11th best for Massachusetts and 307th best nationally on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best high schools in 2016.
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. The high school underwent another renovation in 2018 that repaired much of the A-gym, replace non-working HVAC systems, and added another section to the school which provided six additional classrooms and a new main office. This recent renovation costed $13,188,000 and was completed in late December of 2018.
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 include the Teacher Advisory Board, the School Council, and the School Committee.
Extracurricular activities
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) Field hockey (Varsity, JV, Freshman) Girls' volleyball (Varsity, JV, Freshman) Girls' swimming and diving (Varsity, JV) Cross country (Varsity, JV) Cheerleading (Varsity, Club) Golf (Varsity) Dance (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) 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.