Town of Townsend, MA - Schools

Townsend is within the The North Middlesex Regional School District, and is served by The Nashoba Valley Technical High School 

North Middlesex Regional School District

Ashby - Pepperell - Townsend, Massachusetts

• The North Middlesex Regional School District, serving the towns of Ashby, Pepperell and Townsend, is located in the north/central section of Massachusetts on the New Hampshire border. The three towns served by the district cover approximately 80 square miles and are located in the suburbs near the cities of Fitchburg, Lowell, Worcester and Nashua, NH. The district, which is growing in size, is fewer than 50 miles northwest of Massachusetts' capital city, Boston. Residents of the area are to be found working in a wide variety of vocations in the high technology, higher education, plastics, and paper enterprises that are prominent in the region.

• Each member town has a separate town meeting/selectman form of government. A single Regional School Committee, with membership from each of the three towns, is responsible for the operation of schools.

• The school district provides a modern educational program, grades Pre K-12, for a constituency that has consistently placed a high value on the quality of its schools. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the district's four elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school.

• In Townsend, students from K through 12 attend schools located in Townsend.  Two brothers, Huntley N. Spaulding and Rolland H. Spaulding, both natives of town and ex-governors of New Hampshire, donated the Spaulding Memorial School to the town in 1931.  In 1961 the North Middlesex Regional High School was incorporated to include Pepperell and Townsend students. A few years later, Ashby joined the district. Hawthorne Brook Middle School was built in 1979.  Squannacook Elementary School was completed in 1989.

• Fitchburg State College is located 10 miles south in Fitchburg, and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell is only twenty miles east. 

SPAULDING MEMORIAL SCHOOL   Kindergarten  - Grade 4     Principal - Ms. Becky Janda,  978-597-0380

Spaulding Memorial completed a multimillion dollar renovation project as of September, 1994. It houses students in Kindergarten through grade four. The  instructional staff of 63 includes classroom teachers, an art teacher, librarian, classroom assistants, music teacher, inclusion teachers, speech therapists, guidance counselor, assistant principal, and Title I teachers. We also have access to a district school psychologist and a computer person. The non-instructional staff consists of a secretary, nurse, kitchen staff, custodians, and cafeteria/playground assistants. There are a number of volunteers who work at the school in a variety of ways, instructional and non-instructional. All the students are bused to and from school each day. The school has an active P.T.O. (Parent-Teacher Organization), School Council and a strong commitment to communication with parents. The educational programs offered by Spaulding Memorial School can best be described as well-balanced, developmentally appropriate in the cognitive and affective domains, eclectic in nature and child-centered. Key components include, for example, a language rich environment, whereby, listening, speaking, writing, reading skill development and a love of language abound. The math program stresses skill and concept development, and use of a variety of approaches including math manipulatives. Our science program stresses hands-on activities that foster observations, inquiries and understandings. The social studies and social skills programs encompass development of good manners, respect, honesty, citizenship, self -respect, helping one another, conflict resolution, student negotiating skills, etc. along with an understanding of the community. The educational programs incorporate the use of multi-sensory teaching strategies, cooperative learning techniques, collaboration, inclusion, a modern library, and portfolio assessments, along with other forms of assessment, critical and creative thinking skills, problem solving, and library skill development and appreciation. The school also has active scout groups and after school programs that meet after school many days. We do participate with nearby colleges and universities in student-teacher programs. The Spaulding Memorial School is an excellent school in which children are developed to the fullest of their potential. We appreciate the support that the parents and the town have given us and look forward to serving the children of Townsend.

 

SQUANNACOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL  Preschool      978-597-3085

September 1994 Squannacook Elementary became a grade three through grade five school.  Upon the end of the school year in June 2009 the school was closed due to the fiscal crisis.  Grade 5 moved to HBMS.  Grades 3 and 4 moved to Spaulding.  One wing of the building is currently used for Preschool.

HAWTHORNE BROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL   Grades 5 to 8     Principal - Mr. Steve Coughlan 978-597-6914

Hawthorne Brook in Townsend was constructed in 1977-78. Presently, Hawthorne Brook houses students in grades 5-8 with a faculty and staff of over 60 members. Of the total student population, approximately 100 students from Ashby attend Hawthorne Brook in grades 7-8. The philosophy of this educational facility is to offer a strong comprehensive education with reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies being our core curriculum. Programs such as health education, physical education, music and art are required courses. An advanced foreign language and algebra programs are offered in grades 7 and 8. Enrichment and specialized programs are offered, including Drama Club, Band and Chorus, Career Education, Greenhouse, Photography, Student Council, Show Choir, Art Club, Odyssey of the Mind and interscholastic programs in basketball and cross country. In addition, a Computer Education Program provides a variety of opportunities for all students to become actively engaged in instructional technology throughout the school year. Long distance learning through MCET, Internet and America- On-Line provides an up-to-date access to educational programs and offerings from across the country to the students and staff of Hawthorne Brook Middle School. Hawthorne Brook Middle School is fully accredited from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which recognizes the outstanding child-centered atmosphere created by staff and students of Hawthorne Brook. We are very proud to be recognized as a School of Excellence.

NORTH MIDDLESEX REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL   Grades 9 to 12     Principal - Mr. Michael Flanagan, 978-597-8721

NMRHS is a comprehensive school accredited by the New England Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges. Enrollment for grades 9 through 12 is approximately 1100 students. The professional staff includes 80 full-time teachers, a library/media coordinator, an Academic Support Center coordinator, 5 guidance counselors, a school nurse, a school psychologist, 2 deans of students, one associate principal and the principal. The curriculum at the high school offers all students a comprehensive opportunity for academic challenge. Students' individual needs and interests are at the core of the educational thrust. Academic Decathlon, Odyssey of the Mind, Tech Prep/School-to-Work, Project Adventure, student computer labs, school newspaper, New England Math League, and the Academic Support Center. North Middlesex Regional High School also offers a successful and diverse interscholastic athletic program with students competing in the Midland-Wachusett League. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a school-wide intramural athletic program.