The primary goal of Somerville High School (SHS) is to prepare students to lead satisfying and successful lives by helping them to become:
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Effective readers
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Effective writers
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Effective users of technology
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Effective critical and creative thinkers.
The administration, faculty, and other staff maintain a safe and supportive environment that engages all students in the learning process. SHS staff acknowledges their responsibility to continually develop their skills in teaching and motivating the diverse student body. All students are given opportunities to maximize their potential through academic and occupational courses, as well as a rich complement of after-school athletics and community activities. The SHS team acknowledges the mutual responsibilities shared by home, school and community to ensure the success of every student. SHS was reorganized in 2006 into a House System to: (a) improve connectivity between young adults and adults at SHS, and (b) provide a "home base" for core student support services for both students and parents/guardians. The House System provides a smoother transition for incoming Grade 9 students and all transfer students. In the Houses, Assistant Principals and Guidance Counselors collaboratively support students across their SHS careers, inform parents/guardians of important developments in their student's education, and bring students together with one another and professional adults who can help them achieve their highest potential. Embedded within the House System is the Ninth Grade Cluster Program. This program is designed to ease the transition of freshmen from the 8th grade into high school. To foster increased communication among freshmen families, teachers, and support staff, cluster teachers share the same students and meet regularly to discuss the best ways to help their students develop good study habits, reinforce basic skills, introduce new concepts, prepare for MCAS exams and provide enrichment. Cluster team meeting time is also used to phone and email parents and guardians, meet with parents and guardians one on one, and share information with support staff.
SHS believes that encouraging and maintaining positive attitudes is an important part of the development of the whole learner. A rigorous and respectful code of conduct, designed to promote the dignity of every individual, is in place at SHS. This is matched by a set of expectations for students that asks them to take increasing amounts of responsibility for their learning experiences, both in and out of the classroom. Greater details on the rules, regulations and philosophy of SHS-as well as the Program of Studies Book-can be found in the Student Guide to the School on the Somerville Public Schools website, or available through the Main Office.
