Question: What if these walls could talk? They would tell tales of learning, growth and community at Somerville High School. Here at 81 Highland Avenue stands Somerville High School. It is a public four-year high school. Somerville High School offers many classes and vocational programs.
Somerville High School’s story began in 1852. The school has evolved over the years. It has always been a central part of Somerville. It reflects the city’s spirit. The current building has seen many changes.
In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Somerville High School underwent major reconstruction. Planning started in 2012. Voters approved a Proposition 2+1⁄2 override in 2016. Construction began in April 2018. Students were temporarily displaced. The original 1895 building was kept. The facade of the 1929 War Memorial was also retained.
A new connected building opened on March 4, 2021. It served a small group of high-need students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The auditorium and cosmetology lab were still under construction. New athletic fields were expected by spring 2022. A new broadcast studio is shared with the city. The 750-person auditorium is available for community events. A 100-person lecture hall can also be used. The new complex covers 396000 square feet. It can accommodate 1590 students.
Somerville High School offers diverse extracurricular activities. Students run many clubs and societies. Competitive clubs include the Trivia Team and Science League. There is also a FIRST Robotics Competition team: FRC 6201 The Highlanders. The Trivia Team has competed on WGBH’s High School Quiz Show six times. Their latest appearance was in the 2023–2024 school year. FRC 6201 The Highlanders won the 2023 NE District North Shore Event. Their robot was named Yoink. They also won back-to-back Team Spirit awards in 2023. In 2017, they went to the FIRST World Championship. They won the Creativity Award there.
Students publish an online newspaper called Highlander News.
Somerville High School has a strong sports program. The Cross Country team was undefeated in the Greater Boston League from 2007 to 2010. They captured the GBL championship each season. The girls’ indoor track team also won the GBL indoor track championship. They were undefeated from 2007–08 through 2010. The outdoor track team had an undefeated winning streak from 2008 through 2011. The Football and Basketball Cheerleading team won national championships in 2003 and 2007. They have won the GBL title many times. Gosder Cherilus received All-Scholastic honors from the Boston Globe and Boston Herald. He excelled in football, basketball, and track. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2008.
The Highlander Theatre Company presents several productions each year. These include musicals, full-length plays and student-run fringe festivals. Students participate as actors, crew, directors and stage managers. They design and operate all sets, lights and sound. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020-2021 season was modified. It featured virtual performances. The 2021-2022 season saw a return to in-person theatre.
On June 2, 2015, 59 Somerville High students attempted a world record. It was for “most arm-linked people to stand up from the floor simultaneously.” They succeeded twice after 19 tries. The Guinness World Record Committee verified the record on June 19, 2015. The school received its certificate in August 2015.
Somerville High School boasts many notable alumni. These include Mike Capuano, Joseph Curtatone and Connie Morella. Also included are Gosder Cherilus and Pie Traynor. The Sturniolo Triplets also attended Somerville High School.
Somerville High School is more than just a school. It is a place of community. It fosters diversity. It prepares students for the future. Its long history and recent renovations show its commitment to education. It is a source of pride for Somerville. As you stand here, consider the many stories within these walls. Think about the students who have walked these halls. They have gone on to make their mark on the world.