School History

As early as 1844, the School Committee of Dedham recommended the establishment of a high school, as the statute of the Commonwealth required, and this advise was repeated from year to year.

There was a strong desire for such a school, but the opposition to it was stronger. In 1850, William S. Damrell of Readville declared his intention to bring suit against the town for failure to comply with the law if at the next town meeting it did not make an appropriation for such a school as the law required. This probably determined the action the town took at a meeting held May 12, 1851, when it "voted to instruct the Town's School Committee to hire a building and teacher, and establish a High School according to law." 

Also, the town "voted that the sum of one thousand dollars be raised by tax for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a High School, to be expended by the Town School Committee." 

In accordance with these votes, the Committee elected Mr. Charles J. Capen as Principal, and also hired the hall in which he had for several years taught a private school. Mr. Capen opened the private high and classical school in 1849 at the request of prominent citizens of Dedham who had failed to induce the town to establish a public high school. The hall was on Church Street, over a store of Mr. William Field, and was commonly known as Masonic Hall. 

 

 

 

In 1887, a new high school was built on Bryant Street and was first occupied October 3, 1887. The school remained there until 1915. After the high school left, this building became the Ames Junior High School. It was eventually torn down in 1961 to make room for the Dedham town hall. 

In 1915 a new building was constructed at 70 Whiting Avenue and would house the high school until 1959. The building was three stories high and was constructed of water struck brick with granite and terra cotta trimmings. In the basement there was a lunch room equipped with a serving counter, stoves, and storage rooms; rooms for printing and carpentry work; a gymnasium with toilets, lockers and showers. 

On the first floor there were six classrooms, two recitation rooms, teachers' room, principal's room with private office and vault for school records. The assembly hall located on this floor seated 550 people. 

On the second floor were two study halls, two classrooms, three recitation rooms, emergency room, and girls' toilet. The entrances to the galleries of the assembly hall were on this floor. 

On the third floor were the physical and chemical laboratories with lecture room, preparation, storage and dark rooms; a domestic science room with dining alcove and pantry; drawing room and sewing room; rooms for bookkeeping and typewriting, and also two classrooms. 

The building was designed to accommodate 600 or more pupils. The total cost of the building, including architects' fees, was $126,000! 
Massachusetts Governor Calvin Coolidge took part in the dedication ceremonies. 

A new $200,000 three story wing was added to the building in 1932. This wing contained a new and expanded lunch room; rooms for industrial arts and home economics; and much needed classrooms. 

When the high school moved next door in 1959, this building became the Dedham Junior High School. This move made it possible to relocate the 7th and 8th grades from the Riverdale, Capen, Avery, and Oakdale elementary schools, and the Ames Junior High School into one location. 

 

The Town of Dedham experienced a major growth spurt following World War II. The farms and open spaces were developed into housing tracts. The population of the High School continued to expand along with the housing and it became evident that a new multi-million dollar high school had to be built. 

The present high school at 140 Whiting Avenue was erected in 1959 adjacent to the Stone Park athletic field. 

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. 

Another major addition/renovation project was completed in 1976. This project resulted in a new and expanded library, a larger cafeteria with a fully equipped kitchen, modern science laboratories, swimming pool, and badly needed classrooms. The old cafeteria was modified to create an Auto Shop, Metal Shop, and Multi-purpose Shop. 

During the 1980's and early 1990's, the school population continued to decline. In 1996 the eighth grade was moved over to the high school. Currently, we are a Grades 9-12. 

Our most recent facility improvement in 2023 was the renovation of our library, previously renovated in 1999.