ABOUT NORFOLK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL

Norfolk County Agricultural High School (NCAHS) is a public high school that offers academic and vocational training to 460 students from the 28 towns and one city of Norfolk County and more than 40 out of county (tuition) towns. The school is situated on 300 acres in Walpole, a suburb of Boston, and offers specialty training to students who are interested in pursuing careers in Animal and Marine Science (veterinarian science, canine grooming and obedience, marine science, dairy and livestock management and equine studies), Plant and Environmental Science (floral design, urban forestry, landscaping, environmental technology, ornamental gardening and natural resources), and Diesel and Mechanical Technology (diesel and heavy equipment operation and repair, construction, welding and small engine repair). The school is one of three such schools in Massachusetts charged with promoting agriscience and agribusiness opportunities.

Our school is different than most regional vocational technical high schools in that students attend both academic and vocational classes every day. It is also unique in that the vocational areas are interrelated. Most students take some courses in each area throughout their four years. During the ninth and tenth grade, students participate in a foundation program in which they experience all areas of the agricultural curriculum. At the end of the tenth grade, students select a vocational major in which they will specialize for the next two years. Students are required to pass four years of English, three years of mathematics, three years of social studies, two years of science and 34.5 vocational credits in order to graduate. A distance learning video conferencing program offers eligible seniors the opportunity to complete six college credits in Spanish I and II from Bridgewater State College.

In the last decade, new agricultural programs have been added to meet the needs of the region. Equine Science, Marine Biology and Environmental Technology have been introduced as vocational programs. The Agricultural Mechanics program has also been updated to focus on diesel and mechanical technology. A collaboration with Southworth-Milton and New Hampshire Technical Community College is preparing students for exciting careers in mobile equipment repair.

There are 27 high schools in the County and 41 feeder middle schools. Depending on their residence, students may apply to two other regional technical high schools as well as the Center for Technical Education in Quincy. These programs do not offer state approved agricultural programs.

NCAHS has a high retention rate (students enter in grade 9 and graduate) and a low dropout rate, which was 0% in 2004-2005. The attendance rate is about 96%.
The number of students attending post secondary programs upon graduation has also increased. This number has exceeded 65% for the past four years. As we have strengthened and improved our academic courses, more students have opted into two and four year colleges. We are also pleased to report that more than 25% of our students find employment in related occupations, and 5-8% annually join the military. Positive placements (college, related employment and military) exceeded 95% for the class of 2005.

Our students and teachers take advantage of many cultural and educational experiences available in the South Shore and Boston. Field trips during school and club activities after school, weekends and during the summer provide a wealth of enrichment opportunities. In addition, local businesses offer our faculty and students tours and visits that enhance the curriculum.

Once students become involved in NCAHS, we see many positive results. About 35% of our students maintain honor roll status and about 25% have perfect attendance. At least one third of the student population is involved in our athletic program and many students participate in more than one school club or activity. Many awards and opportunities for recognition are provided to our students.

Five years ago we began a collaboration with Bridgewater State College that allows seniors to take college level Spanish through distance learning. Tufts University professors and students share our campus several times each year and Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst enrolls many of our students. We are proud that our small school offers so many enriching opportunities and that students and their parents are committed to ensuring that they may participate by providing transportation and assisting with and participating in fundraising activities.

In 1998, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts initiated a statewide assessment program, MCAS. Students must pass English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics tests in order to be eligible for graduation. State curriculum frameworks have been developed, and our teachers have worked diligently to align our curricula and to prepare students. This same year our school became part of the High Schools That Work Network. This initiative gave us the perfect vehicle to address the needs of our school and improve student achievement. The class of 2003 was the first class that met these rigorous MCAS standards. School scores have continuously improved. All members of the last three graduation classes reached the competency determination. This means that they have passed both the English Language Arts and Mathematics tests. A strong developmental program and remediation program integrated throughout the curriculum certainly have a role in their success. Norfolk County Agricultural High School scores were higher than the state averages.

The Norfolk County Agricultural High School does not discriminate on the basis of, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or handicap in its education activities or employment practices as required by Title IX of the 1972 Federal Education Amendments, by Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, and by Chapter 622 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.