Consider the year 1821. The English High School was founded here in Boston. It stands as America’s first public high school.
The English High School’s story begins with a vision. Boston leaders wanted an education for boys not bound for Harvard. They sought a curriculum for success in commerce and industry. The Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association championed this cause. They modeled The English High after the Royal High School in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Originally named The English Classical School, it was renamed in 1824. The school opened its doors on Derne Street, near the Massachusetts State House. One hundred and one boys were enrolled. Admission required an examination. The English High remained an exam school until the late 1920s.
Over the years, The English High School moved several times. From Derne Street, it moved to Pinkney and Anderson Streets. Later, in 1844, it shared a building with Boston Latin School on Bedford Street. In 1881, both schools relocated to the South End. A magnificent building housed over 2000 students.
The rivalry between English High and Boston Latin is legendary. Sharing a building likely fueled the flames. Their annual Thanksgiving football game is the oldest public high school rivalry in the U.S. It started in 1887. It is the fourth-longest high school rivalry of all time.
The English High School’s curriculum evolved. Originally focused on English, surveying, and mathematics, it broadened over time. Today, it includes liberal arts, foreign languages, and performing arts. The school prepares students for college and careers.
In 1972, The English High School became coeducational. Girls were admitted for the first time. This marked a significant change in the school’s history.
In 1989, The English High School moved to its current location on McBride Street in Jamaica Plain. For the first time, the school was part of a neighborhood.
The English High School boasts notable alumni. J.P. Morgan, the financier, attended here. Leonard Nimoy, the actor, walked these halls. Bill Owens, Massachusetts’ first Black state senator, is an alumnus.
The school’s motto reflects its values. “Honor, Achievement, Service to Mankind” guides students. The English High School continues to shape young minds. It prepares them for success in a changing world. The English High School stands as a beacon of opportunity in Boston.