Wonder what makes Natick High School so special? It is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a hub of history and community pride.
Natick High School has a rich story. It started back in 1853. All town schools were then on School Street. In 1856, the high school found a new home. It moved into the old Town Hall. This was at Morse Street and East Central Street.
A new building was needed by 1914. So, Natick High School was rebuilt on East Central Street. The original Natick High School opened in 1954 at 15 West Street. It expanded in 1965 and was renovated in 1985. The town voted to replace the building in 2010. The current Natick High School opened on August 29, 2012.
Imagine the stories those walls could tell. They have seen young minds grow. They have witnessed friendships form. They have observed athletic victories. They have seen students leave for war and sometimes not return.
The class of 1957 donated large letters to the school. These letters spelled out Natick High School on the building’s facade. After the new school opened in 2012, the class of 1957 got the letters back. They raffled them off at their 55th reunion.
A shovel marks the start of the current building. It was used at the groundbreaking on October 20, 2010. Students, staff, and politicians celebrated.
Natick High School’s sports teams have a long history. A football trophy dates back to 1910. The Lyric Theatre gave it to the team. A plaque commemorates the 1913 track team’s victory.
The Speech Team won a trophy in 2001. It was their 40th season. Proms have long been a high school highlight. A prom mug from 1969 reminds us of this tradition.
Students received monthly report cards in the early 1900s. A report card from 1912-1913 shows grades and parent signatures.
The school newspaper was named Sassamon. It honored John Sassamon, a local historical figure. He was a teacher, translator, and scribe. The newspaper began as a quarterly newsletter. It eventually became a monthly publication and yearbook.
Natick High School was known as the Home of the Champions. This nickname started with a firefighter team in 1891. It has become a source of pride for the school.
The Red and Blue were the school’s colors before 1956. Later, the teams were called the Redmen. Today, they are the Redhawks.
Natick High School continues to evolve. It builds on its traditions. It embraces the future. It remains a vital part of the Natick community.