DedhamAthletics history

Beginning in 1844 the School Committee repeatedly began recommending that the town establish a high school.

Beginning in 1844 the School Committee repeatedly began recommending that the town establish a high school. It was not until 1850 when, under threat of a lawsuit, that the town meeting voted to "instruct the Town's School Committee to hire a building and teacher, and establish a High School according to law." A sum of $3,000 was appropriated to support it.

The new school was opened on September 15, 1851 with 42 students.

After moving from Masonic Hall, the classes were held at the Town House for one year until, in 1855, a new school was built on Highland Street and dedicated on December 10.

A new school was built on Bryant Street in 1887, and students moved in on October 3.

After 1915, when the high school moved to Whiting Avenue, the building housed the Ames Junior High School, and today it is the site of the Dedham Town Hall.

Students first occupied the school in the spring of 1916.

Governor Calvin Coolidge took part in the dedication ceremony on March 31, 1917.

A new $200,000 three story wing was added to the building in 1932.

Special laws were passed by the Massachusetts General Court in 1957 allowing the town to use Stone Park across the street to build a new high school.

Classes began at 140 Whiting Avenue in 1959, and continue to the present.

A major addition was added in 1967 which consisted of a new academic wing and an additional gymnasium.

The population of the high school continued to expand and it peaked in 1972 when grades 9-12 exceeded 2100 students.