History of SHS
For more than 170 years, Somerville High School has been a symbol of the city’s commitment to education, opportunity, and community. The school’s roots date back to 1852, when Somerville Free High School opened its doors. As the city grew, so did its commitment to public education, leading to the construction of new high school buildings and programs designed to meet the needs of generations of students.
In 1895, Somerville English High School opened on Central Hill, followed by the development of Somerville Latin School, creating two neighboring high schools that became nationally recognized examples of public education. The schools were featured in educational exhibits at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair and the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. In 1911, the two schools merged to become Somerville High School, continuing a tradition of academic excellence and community service.
Over the decades, Somerville High School continued to evolve, expanding its programs to include career and technical education, arts, athletics, and a broad range of academic opportunities. Major renovations in the 20th century helped transform the school into a comprehensive high school serving students with diverse interests and goals.
The next chapter in SHS history began with the construction of a new, state-of-the-art high school designed to honor the school’s legacy while preparing students for the future. The new building preserves historic elements, including the original 1895 school building and portions of the 1929 War Memorial building, while introducing modern learning spaces, advanced technology, and expanded opportunities for students. Opened in 2021, the new Somerville High School continues the tradition of innovation, inclusion, and excellence that has defined the school for generations.
The New SHS
The new Somerville High School represents a once-in-a-generation investment in students, educators, and the future of the community. From the first stages of planning and design to the final days of construction, the project transformed a vision for a modern, innovative learning environment into a reality. Explore the journey through videos, virtual tours, project updates, and time-lapse photography that capture the remarkable transformation of the new SHS—a building designed to support learning, connection, and opportunity for generations to come.
Alumni
Throughout its history, Somerville High School has been home to many accomplished graduates who have made their mark in fields ranging from government and public service to sports, the arts, and entertainment.
Alumni include former Somerville mayors and public leaders such as Mike Capuano and Joseph Curtatone, former U.S. Postmaster General Frank Harris Hitchcock, and former members of Congress Connie Morella and Mike Capuano. The school’s graduates have also achieved distinction in athletics, including NFL player Gosder Cherilus, Major League Baseball players Shanty Hogan, Danny MacFayden, Charlie Osgood, and Baseball Hall of Famer Pie Traynor, as well as NHL player Maurice Roberts and Olympic high jumper Phil Reavis.
Other notable alumni include Marguerite LeHand, longtime private secretary and chief of staff to President Franklin D. Roosevelt; architect Eric Kebbon; musician James “Hutch” Hutchinson; singer-songwriter Boris Pickett; writer Annie Stevens Perkins; World War II hero Henry Hansen of Iwo Jima; and modern media creators the Sturniolo Triplets.
Together, these graduates represent the diverse talents, contributions, and lasting impact of the Somerville High School community.