Billerica Memorial High School
| Billerica Memorial High School | |
|---|---|
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| Location | |
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35 River Street Billerica, Massachusetts United States |
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| Coordinates | 42°33′40″N 71°16′23″W / 42.56111°N 71.27306°WCoordinates: 42°33′40″N 71°16′23″W / 42.56111°N 71.27306°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Motto | Respect,Individuality, Community, and Enrichment |
| Established | 1916 as Howe High School; 1955 as BMHS |
| School district | Billerica Public Schools |
| Principal | Thomas R. Murphy |
| Grades | 9 to 12 |
| Enrollment | 1,634 (2007-08) |
| Color(s) | Forest Green and White |
| Athletics conference | Merrimack Valley Conference (MVC) |
| Mascot | Indian Head |
| Nickname | BMHS |
| Team name | Indians |
| Rival | Chelmsford High School (Chelmsford, Massachusetts) |
| Average SAT scores | 521 verbal 540 math 516 writing 1577 total (2015-2016) |
| Newspaper | The Billerica Beat |
| Website | BMHS Home Page |
Billerica Memorial High School (aka: BMHS/fka: Howe High School) is located at 35 River Street in Billerica, Massachusetts. It is one of two public high schools in the town. Thomas Murphy is the principal of Billerica High. He is also a graduate of the school. The school serves about 1,630 students in grades 9 through 12. An assistant principal oversees students in each of the four grades. Billerica's arch-rival is Chelmsford High School. The colors of BMHS are green and white, and the school's emblem is the Indian Head.
Shortly after the foundation of Billerica in 1655, the town made plans to ensure education for its young residents. The first schoolmaster of Billerica was Joseph Tompson. His private room was the first classroom. As the town of Billerica grew in the 18th century, other schoolmasters were hired.
In 1794 Ebenezer Pemberton opened the first private school in Billerica, Pemberton Academy. Mr. Pemberton was considered one of the most notable teachers of his time and had previously taught James Madison and Aaron Burr. The academy closed in 1808. Another private school was established in 1820 known as Billerica Academy, and classes were held in an old hotel. It also found itself closed in 1836. Reverend Mr. Stearns then tried to pick up the burden of higher education by teaching classes in his church, but this school also eventually closed.
The first official high school under town control was established in 1851 (although the town did not officially control it until about 1910). It was named Howe School after its founder Dr. Zadok Howe. Dr. Howe funded the building of the school but died before construction was completed. His estate ran the school, free of charge to Billerica residents. It took in students from all over New England and some from as far away as Illinois. The total enrollment was 46 boys and 42 girls, with the senior class graduating a total of six students (four boys and two girls).
In 1896, the Town of Billerica officially named the school as the town's high school as was mandated by law. It was also in that same year that a group of alumni from the school founded an association that is still active today: The Howe High School/Billerica Memorial High School Alumni Association is the second oldest active high school alumni group in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts behind the Alumni Association to the Boston Latin School.
When Dr. Howe's estate announced, in 1910, that free tuition would end for Billerica students, the town took over the school.
The Howe School soon became overpopulated and the town was forced to rent out rooms in houses opposite the building. The principal at this time was Mr. Vining. He himself taught six classes a day. The superintendent at the time was Mr. Arthur B. Webber.
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