Lexington High School

Lexington High School
Address
251 Waltham St. Lexington, MA, 02421 United States
Information
Type	Public
School district	Lexington Public Schools
Superintendent	Dr. Paul B. Ash
CEEB Code	221190[1]
Principal	Natalie Cohen
Faculty	211[1]
Grades	High school (9-12)
Enrollment	1,991 (2008-09)[1]
Houses	Arts & Humanities, Foreign Language, Math, Science
Color(s)	Blue & Gold
Team name	Minutemen
Accreditation(s)	New England Association of Schools and Colleges Massachusetts State Department of Education[1]
Newspaper	The Musket
Feeder schools	Jonas Clarke Middle School William Diamond Middle School
Website	http://lhs.lexingtonma.org

Lexington High School is a public high school located in Lexington, Massachusetts, United States. It has grades 9-12. The school's mascot is the Minuteman.

In 2003, Lexington was rated the 171st best high school in the country by Newsweek. It also appeared on the 2005 (302nd), 2006 (448th), and 2008 (466th) lists. It did not appear on the 2007 list.^[2] In 2008 it was ranked by the Boston Globe as one of the top three high schools in the state.^{[citation needed]}

The mission of Lexington High School is as stated on its website:^[3]

Lexington High School is a learning community committed to developing well-educated, healthy, engaged students in a respectful, safe, supportive environment. We encourage the effort and imagination necessary to acquire knowledge and develop academic habits of mind. We maintain our high expectations with a challenging and varied curriculum, inspired by curiosity, enriched by clubs and activities. At the same time we emphasize the need to reduce unhealthy stress and unproductive competition in pursuit of balanced lives. We honor diversity and individual achievement; we promote collaboration and community service. Together we strive to model behavior that will help make our campus a microcosm of the world we hope to create.

Contents 1 Building plan 2 Senate 3 Curriculum and class schedule 3.1 Mathematics 3.2 Science 3.3 English 3.4 Social Studies 3.5 Foreign Language 3.6 Fine and Performing Arts 3.7 Physical Education 3.8 Health Education 3.9 Interdisciplinary Studies 3.10 Guidance Seminars 4 Extracurriculars 4.1 Debate Team 4.2 Science Teams 4.3 Math Team 5 School sports 5.1 Sports opportunities 5.2 Acknowledgments 6 Other Details 7 Notable alumni 8 External links 9 Notes and references

Building plan

Lexington High School's facilities are divided into four buildings.

The Arts and Humanities House, contains the bulk of the following departments: English, Social Studies, Fine and Performing Arts, and Physical Education. It also has the Donald J. Gillespie, Jr. Auditorium, the Ralph Lord Gymnasium, and a fieldhouse. Commons I and Commons II are used as cafeterias and meeting places. The library and the main administration office are also in this building. Thus, the Arts and Humanities building is informally and frequently called the "main" building by many students. The gym, locker rooms, etc. are numbered in the 900s. Other rooms in the Arts and Humanities building are numbered by floor, 100s for the first floor and 200s for the second floor.

The Science House contains the Science department. The building contains the "Science Lecture Hall" (SLH), which has many purposes, and is used for, among other things, math competitions and detentions. Because detentions are always held in the SLH, most of the chairs and tables have been scarred by etchings and markings containing content of a mostly inappropriate nature. Rooms are numbered by floor, 300s for the first floor and 400s for the second floor.

The Foreign Language House contains the Foreign Language and the Health Education departments, and rooms are numbered by floor, 500s for the first floor and 600s for the second floor.

The Math House contains the Math department, as well as the LABBB program, and rooms are numbered by floor, 700s for the first floor and 800s for the second floor.

The "quad" is an outdoor common area. It is bounded by the Main building (on two sides), the Science building, and a covered walkway between the Science building and the Foreign Language building.

Senate

In the 1980s, there was a movement to give students a bigger voice within the school. Soon enough a new school constitution was ratified, creating a new school Student/Faculty Senate. The Senate allots to the teachers and the students the power to make decisions about the implementation of policies within the school.

The philosophy behind the creation of the Senate (as quoted from the senate constitution^[4]) is as follows:

All members of the school community should have a meaningful voice in determining the policies of the school, in promoting a positive school climate, and in shaping the future of the school. It is essential that each member be kept informed through effective communications and have the power to influence decisions made at Lexington High School. For this purpose the Lexington High School Senate is established.

The Senate is not without its checks and balances, though. The school principal has veto power over the decisions of the Senate, but the Senate can choose to override the principal's veto with a three-fourths supermajority vote.

The Senate is made up of two elected groups, namely, staff representatives and student representatives. The faculty representatives are chosen at large, one representative for every ten high school staff, with the stipulation that at least one representative is elected from each of the various departments. Student representatives are elected one representative for every 50 members of the student body. The number of student representatives is determined annually based on current enrollment in grades 8-11, and then divided among the classes per the school constitution. Student representatives allotted to a class are elected by that class at large.

Up to five seats are open for students to represent under-represented groups. Said groups must petition the Senate for such representation.

Curriculum and class schedule

Lexington High School offers a wide variety of courses for its students.^[5]

Classes begin at 7:45 a.m. and end at 2:25 p.m. Lexington High School operates on a block schedule containing 32 blocks per week, with classes between 45 and 55 minutes long. The blocks are organized in eight groups of four, assigned letter designations from A to H. The first A block of the week is denoted A1; the second, A2; etc. Meetings of the school senate take place during first block (denoted as X block) on Wednesdays; classes do not begin on Wednesday until 8:35. Z block is the 35 minute period between 2:25 pm and 3:00 pm; clubs and athletics are not allowed to begin mandatory meetings during this time to allow students the opportunity to meet with teachers. Among other times, students are also generally able to meet with teachers during X block. Students are required to attend homeroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays for announcements.

Credits at Lexington High School are usually awarded 1/4 credit per block-per-week per quarter. That is, a full-year, 4 block-per-week course will usually earn 4 credits. A half-year, 4 block-per-week course will usually earn 2 credits. A quarter-long, 2 block-per-week course (such as a gym course) will usually earn 1/2 credit. Hypothetically, a full-year class that meets only once a week will earn 1 credit. Most English, math, social studies and foreign language classes are worth 4 credits, as classes in these departments usually meet during one of these groups of blocks.

As there are 32 blocks per week, most schedules will achieve up to 32 credits. There are some exceptions. For example, some (if not all) of the jazz ensembles meet after school, and they are worth 4 credits. Students taking this can achieve 36 credits. Students may also obtain transfer credit by taking classes at an approved location (such as the Harvard Extension School). Usually, partial credit will not be given for completing part of a class.

Lexington High School requires that all seniors maintain a schedule of at least 26 credits. Sophomores, and juniors are required a schedule of at least 27 credits. Freshmen are required a schedule of at least 28 credits (and it is recommended that freshmen take no more than 30 credits).

If a student does not have a class during a particular block, then the student is assigned a study hall, unless the student is either a junior who has completed at least 20 community service hours, or a senior who has completed at least 30 hours; these students are given open campus privileges.

In order to graduate, students who attend LHS for all four high school years must complete the following:

• 104 total credits, including the subject requirements listed below
• 40 hours of community service
• Pass the MCAS exams in ELA (English and Language Arts) and Mathematics (This is a requirement of all Massachusetts schools.)

All courses at Lexington High School are college preparatory.

Mathematics

Core mathematics classes include each of the following:

• Integrated Math, a two-year sequence designed for students with difficulties in mathematical abstraction
• Algebra 1 or 1B, which is usually completed in the eighth grade curriculum
• Algebra 2 (Honors, Level 1, or Level 2), generally taken by freshmen
• Geometry (Honors, Level 1, or Level 2), generally taken by sophomores
• Advanced Mathematics (Honors, Level 1, or "Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry"), generally taken by juniors and covering pre-calculus topics
• Calculus (Honors-AP BC, Honors-AP AB, or Level 1), generally taken by seniors
• Statistics (Honors-AP or Level 1), generally taken by seniors in lieu of, in conjunction with, or after completion of, a calculus course

Lexington High School offers several computer courses which also receive mathematics credit:

• Level 1 Introduction to Programming I and II, both of which are 2 credit semester-long Level 1 courses taught using C++
• Honors-AP Computer Science, which was formerly in preparation for the AB exam, but is now in preparation for the A exam with the elimination of the AB
• Advanced Computer Programming, a 2 credit semester-long course that can be repeated for credit

Additionally, students may take Accounting 1 (and, upon completion, Accounting 2), a preparatory course for business management or business administration. Both accounting courses are 4 credit courses.

Students are required to accumulate 16 mathematics credits by graduation time.

Science

Most science courses at Lexington High School are full-year, 5 credit classes, as although it meets four times a week, one class period takes two consecutive blocks in order to accommodate labs. The Honors-AP classes, which are full-year, 6 credit classes, meet once every day but for two consecutive blocks on one of those days. Higher classes will usually require teacher recommendations and prerequisites/co-requisites.

Freshmen at Lexington High School are required to take one of three courses of Earth Science, which are designed to introduce students to the basics of astronomy, geology, meteorology and oceanography. Students may take Advanced Earth Systems Science, Level 1 Earth Science, or Explorations in Earth Science. Each are 5 credit classes.

Sophomores usually take one of three courses of Biology, topics in which include, but are not limited to, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics evolution, physiology, anatomy, reproduction, development, biodiversity and ecology. Students may take Honors-AP Biology, Level 1 Biology, or Conceptual Biology.

Juniors usually take one of three courses of Chemistry, topics in which include, but are not limited to, the SI metric system of measurement, scientific notation, dimensional analysis, atomic structure, periodic relationships, chemical bonding, gases and kinetic theory, molecular structure, types of chemical reactions and quantitative relationships, solution chemistry, energy relationships, and equilibrium. Students may take Honors-AP Chemistry, Level 1 Chemistry, or Conceptual Chemistry.

Seniors usually take one of four courses of Physics, topics of which can include kinematics, force and motion, momentum, energy, work, wave motion, optics, electrostatics, electricity, and magnetism. Students may take Honors-AP C Analytical Physics, Honors-AP B Physics, Level 1 Physics, or Conceptual Physics.

In addition to these regular courses, Lexington High School offers Level 1 Astronomy, a four credit course; and Introduction to Robotics and Engineering, a 2 credit semester-long course. Self-motivated juniors and seniors can also do an individually-developed independent research project with a sponsor teacher for variable credit.

Students are required to accumulate 18 science credits by graduation time.

English

Students are required to accumulate 16 English credits by graduation time.

Social Studies

Students are required to accumulate 16 social studies credits by graduation time.

Foreign Language

Students are required to accumulate 8 foreign language credits by graduation time.

Fine and Performing Arts

Many arts classes are worth two credits, meeting four times a week for a semester; and many are worth 4 credits, meeting four times a week for a full year.

Lexington High School has been well known for its award-winning music program which includes: multiple a cappella groups; two bands (wind ensemble and symphonic band); two orchestras (honors and repertoire); and three choir groups. The jazz program includes a renowned jazz ensemble, a big band, a combo, and a septet. In August 2004, Lexington high school was invited to perform at the Edinburgh festival in Scotland.

The music program is under the direction of several faculty members, including: Jeffrey Leonard, a wind and jazz specialist and a Berklee graduate; Justin Aramati, a wind specialist and a New England Conservatory graduate; Janet Haas, a string specialist throughout the Lexington Public Schools; and Dr. Walter Pavasaris, the fine and performing Arts coordinator and a string conductor renowned throughout New England.^[6]

Students are required to accumulate 8 fine and performing arts credits by graduation time.

Special projects and grants in the Fine and Performing Arts department are funded by FOLMADS, Inc., a non-profit, tax-exempt organization with the mission of supporting the arts in the Lexington Public Schools.

Physical Education

Most physical education classes are worth 0.5 credits, as they are scheduled to meet twice a week for one quarter. The physical education class Athletic Training is worth 1 credit if 6 hours of training at sports is completed.

Students are required to accumulate 6 physical education credits by graduation time.

Health Education

There are only two classes in this department: Adolescent Health Issues I, taken mostly by freshmen; and Adolescent Health Issues II, taken mostly by juniors. Both classes are worth 1 credit, as both classes meet twice a week for a semester.

Students are required to accumulate 2 health education credits by graduation time. Thus, students must take both Ad. Health I and Ad. Health II to graduate.

Interdisciplinary Studies

There are several classes that count for credits in more than one department, including web design, and dance.

Guidance Seminars

Extracurriculars

Debate Team

Lexington High School's policy debate team has won the State Championship for the last 32 years^{[citation needed]}. Lexington won the Tournament of Champions in 1994, and had the top speaker, Steve Lehotsky, in 1995.

A Lexington team also won the Tournament of Champions in the Public Forum division in 2007.^{[citation needed]}

Science Teams

Lexington High School's National Ocean Sciences Bowl team won the National competition between 1998 and 2002, the first five years of the competition's existence. In 2009, the team won the regional Blue Lobster Bowl ^[7] and returned to the National competition to win 2nd place.

Lexington High School's National Science Bowl team qualified for the National competition in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2009.^[8][9] They won 2nd place nationally in 2009.

Science Olympiad teams also exist at both Lexington High School and Diamond Middle School. The High School team won second place in 2009, and the middle school team won fourth in both 2008 and 2009, and won third in 2007.

Lexington High School's Envirothon team qualified for the National competition in 2008 and placed 7th.

Math Team

Lexington High School's math team is widely renowned for its successes. For more on Lexington High School's math team, see Math Teams in Lexington Public Schools (Massachusetts)

School sports

Sports opportunities

Lexington High School offers the following sports:^[10]

• Fall: August–November
  • Football: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman
  • Soccer: Boys' Varsity, Boys' Junior Varsity, Boys' Freshman, Girls' Varsity, Girls' Junior Varsity, Girls' Freshman
  • Field Hockey: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman
  • Swimming: Girls' Varsity
  • Cross Country: Boys' Varsity, Girls' Varsity
  • Volleyball: Girls' Varsity, Girls' Junior Varsity, Girls' Freshman
  • Golf: Co-ed Varsity
  • Cheerleading: Football, Basketball
• Winter: December–February
  • Basketball: Boys' Varsity, Boys' Junior Varsity, Boys' Freshman, Girls' Varsity, Girls' Junior Varsity, Girls' Freshman
  • Ice Hockey: Boys' Varsity, Boys' Junior Varsity, Girls' Varsity, Girls' Junior Varsity
  • Wrestling: Varsity, Junior Varsity
  • Indoor Track: Boys' Varsity, Boys' Junior Varsity, Girls' Varsity, Girls' Junior Varsity
  • Swimming: Boys' Varsity
  • Cheerleading: Co-ed Basketball/Ice Hockey
• Spring: March–June
  • Baseball: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman
  • Softball: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshman
  • Lacrosse: Boys' Varsity, Boys' Junior Varsity, Boys' Freshman, Girls' Varsity, Girls' Junior Varsity, Girls' Freshman
  • Outdoor Track: Boys' Varsity, Boys' Junior Varsity, Girls' Varsity, Girls' Junior Varsity
  • Tennis: Boys' Varsity, Boys' Junior Varsity, Girls' Varsity, Girls' Junior Varsity

In addition, Lexington High School has an Ultimate Frisbee club, which goes by the name The Hucking Fooligans.

LHS teams compete in the Middlesex League.

Their main athletic rivals are Concord-Carlisle Regional High School (Concord, MA) and Burlington High School (Burlington, MA). In track and cross-country, their main competitors are Reading Memorial High School (Reading, MA) and Woburn Memorial High School (Woburn, MA).

Lexington's colors are blue and gold, and their nickname is the Minutemen.

Acknowledgments

Lexington High School sports teams have received the following accolades:

• The LHS golf team has won (or shared the title) of the Middlesex League 4 out of the past 6 years.
• The Lexington High School Boys soccer team has won the Middlesex League for the past several years, and in the 2008 fall season, won every single league game, garnering nation-wide attention, being voted the #8 high school soccer team in the entire country by ESPN Rise.
• Boy's Swimming and Basketball have recently been awarded the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's "sportsmanship award" for 2007-2008.^{[citation needed]}
• The cross-country team was undefeated from 2000–2008.^{[citation needed]}
• The Lexington High School Boys swim team has won the Middlesex League Championship for the last eleven years in addition to many other league titles, making it the second most successful Lexington High School sports team.^[11]
• The LHS Boys Indoor Track team won the Massachusetts Division I State Championships in 2006 and repeated in 2007. In 2007, the Lexington Boys outdoor track team captured both the Division I State Championship and the All-State Championship.^{[citation needed]}
• The LHS Girl's Varsity Softball team won the Massachusetts Division I State Championships in 2008 and 2009.^{[citation needed]}

The LHS Football team won the Middlesex League in 2004. LHS Football coach Bill Tighe is the oldest football coach in the country.

Other Details

In 2005, Fred Phelps, of Topeka, Kansas and his church (the Westboro Baptist Church) protested the Lexington High School graduation because of the school's support of its gay-straight alliance. The group returned in 2009.^[12]

The LABBB program, a special education program serving mentally challenged students from surrounding towns (Lexington, Arlington, Burlington, Belmont and Bedford) is renowned for its emphasis on real world skills for the mentally handicapped. LHS students have the opportunity to work with the LABBB students in the Best Buddies program, special events, and classes.^[13]

Notable alumni

External links

• Official website
• http://lhs.lexingtonma.org/Dept/PE/viewnews.cgi
• On Phelps protesting
• The Student/Faculty Senate Website
• Great Schools.net profile
• Google Map
• http://lhs.lexingtonma.org/block.shtml

Notes and references

Coordinates: 42°26′37″N 71°13′54″W / 42.4437°N 71.2317°W / 42.4437; -71.2317