Framingham Public School District facts for kids

The Framingham Public School District (also called Framingham Public Schools or FPS) runs thirteen public schools in the city of Framingham, Massachusetts. It is known as one of the 24 urban school districts in the state. However, the district often describes itself as both urban and suburban. The main offices for the school district are located at 73 Mount Wayte Avenue in Framingham.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Framingham improved its schools. They built a brand new Cameron school and made big updates to the Wilson, McCarthy, and high schools. Some school buildings that were not being used were rented out. For example, the former Juniper Hill Elementary was leased to the Metrowest Jewish Day School. The former Farley Middle school was leased to Mass Bay Community College.

In the 1980s, the district sold some older, smaller schools that were no longer needed. These included Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Washington schools. They were built in the 1930s. The former Memorial school was closed because high levels of asbestos (a harmful material) were found there. Today, the Lincoln school is a medical office. Memorial and Roosevelt are now homes for senior citizens. The Washington school was torn down and replaced with a park.

The Framingham School Department started a long time ago, in 1706. That's when the town hired its first school master, Deacon Joshua Hemenway. Framingham got its first public school building in 1716. The first high school, the Framingham Academy, opened in 1792. But it closed later due to money problems. The first town-run high school opened in 1852. It has been open ever since, in different locations around town.

The Superintendent of Schools is Dr. Robert Tremblay. He leads the entire school district.

Framingham Public Schools

B.L.O.C.K.S (Building Learning Opportunities for Children's Kindergarten Success) Preschool is a program for young children. It is taught by trained early childhood teachers. Students can choose half-day, full-day, or extended-day options. Each class has up to 18 children, one teacher, and one helper. B.L.O.C.K.S helps children learn in a supportive and flexible way. This program is offered at Juniper Hill School and Framingham High School.

Elementary Schools

All elementary schools in Framingham teach students from kindergarten through fifth grade.

• Barbieri School

  The Barbieri school opened in 1974. It was originally a middle school. It is named after local police LT. Paul F. Barbieri. This school focuses on teaching in two languages and on communication skills. It is located on Dudley Road. The school is one of four elementary schools with a Dual Language program. This program teaches students in both English and another language.

====Barbieri School Facilities====

• 30 classrooms on four floors
• Cafeteria
• Auditorium
• Gymnasium
• Olympic sized pool (now closed)
• In-school library
• 7 baseball fields (nearby)
• Outdoor basketball court (nearby)
• 1 multi-use athletic field (for football, soccer, or lacrosse)

• Brophy School

  The Brophy school opened in 1968. It is named after local educators Rose and Anna Brophy. Its school slogan is "Sharing One World at Brophy." It is located on Pleasant Street (Route 30). The building design is similar to the Potter Road School.

====Brophy School Facilities====

• 26 classrooms on two floors
• Shared cafeteria and auditorium
• Gymnasium
• In-school Library Media Center
• Central courtyard
• Community playground
• 3 multi-use athletic fields (for football, soccer, or lacrosse)
• Outdoor basketball court

• Charlotte A. Dunning Elementary School

  This school was built in the early 1960s. It was first called The Frost Street Elementary School. In 1965, it was renamed after local politician Charlotte A. Dunning. It is located on Frost Street. It is near nature paths, athletic fields, and farmland, next to the Hultman Aqueduct. Its building design is similar to the Hemenway School.

====Dunning School Facilities====

• 30 classrooms
• Shared cafeteria and auditorium
• Gymnasium
• In-school library
• Central courtyard
• Community playground
• 2 baseball fields (shared with Walsh Middle School)
• 1 multi-use athletic field (shared with Walsh Middle School)
• 1 outdoor basketball court (shared with Walsh Middle School)
• 4 outdoor asphalt tennis courts (shared with Walsh Middle School)

• The Joshua Hemenway Elementary School

  Hemenway opened in 1961. It is named after Framingham's first school headmaster, Deacon Joshua Hemenway. Hemenway is a "multiple intelligences" school. This means it teaches using real-life experiences, hands-on science, and current world events. It is located on Water Street. Its building design is similar to the Dunning School.

====Hemenway School Facilities====

• 30 classrooms, plus 2 temporary classrooms
• Shared cafeteria and auditorium
• Gymnasium
• In-school library
• Central courtyard
• Community playground
• 1 baseball field

• The George P. King Elementary School

  King Elementary school is Framingham's first STEAM school. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. This approach combines these subjects to help students learn in a creative and practical way.

• Miriam F. McCarthy School

  McCarthy was built in the mid-1950s and expanded in 1995. It is named after local educator Miriam F. McCarthy. McCarthy focuses on reading and writing skills. This helps students become good readers and writers. It is located on Flagg Drive, near other schools and athletic fields.

====McCarthy School Facilities====

• 30 classrooms
• Shared cafeteria and auditorium
• Gymnasium
• In-school library and computer lab
• Community playground
• 1 baseball field (shared with Fuller Middle School)
• 2 baseball fields (nearby)
• 2 multi-use athletic fields (nearby)

• Potter Road Elementary School

  Built in 1969, along with the Brophy School, Potter Road is the only school (besides Framingham High School) not named after a person. Potter Road teaches students that learning is a lifelong process. It emphasizes that education continues beyond the classroom. Potter Road is located on its namesake road.

====Potter Road School Facilities====

• 36 classrooms on two floors
• Shared cafeteria and auditorium
• Gymnasium
• In-school library and computer lab
• Central courtyard
• Community playground
• 2 baseball fields
• 1 multi-use athletic field (for football, soccer, or lacrosse)
• 1 outdoor basketball court

• Mary E. Stapleton Elementary

  Built in the 1920s as the Saxonville School, it was expanded in 1980. It was renamed for local educator and principal Mary E. Stapleton. Stapleton focuses on environmental education. It uses hands-on learning and features the Carol Getchell Nature Trail along the Sudbury River. In 2006, Massachusetts recognized Stapleton for its successful recycling program. It is located on Elm Street.

====Stapleton School Facilities====

• 30 classrooms on two floors
• Shared cafeteria and auditorium
• Gymnasium
• In-school library and computer lab
• Community playground

• Harmony Grove, formerly known as Wilson Elementary School

  Wilson was built in the 1940s and had a big renovation in the early 2000s. It is named for President Woodrow Wilson. The Global Studies program at this school adds activities that help children learn more about the world. It is located on Leland Street. It is the last Framingham school named after a US Presidents, as the former Washington and Lincoln schools were closed.

====Harmony Grove School Facilities====

• 44 classrooms on two floors
• Shared cafeteria and auditorium
• Gymnasium
• In-school library and computer lab
• Community playground

Middle Schools

All middle schools in Framingham teach students from sixth through eighth grade.

• Cameron Middle School

  The first Cameron Middle School opened in 1974. It was named after Framingham educator, Dr. Walter C. Cameron. This school was closed in 1982 and torn down in 2000. The current Cameron Middle School opened in 2002. Its school colors are yellow and green, and its mascot is the Cameron Cougars. The school is located on Elm Street, across from Norton's Pond.

• Fuller Middle School

  The Fuller Middle School opened in 1998. It is in the building that used to be Framingham South High School. It is named after Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller (1872–1953), an important African-American in psychology, and his wife Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller (1877–1968), a famous sculptor. Its school colors are black (Onyx) and green (Jade), and its mascot is Fuller Falcons. The school is located on Flagg Drive, across from the McCarthy Elementary School.

• Walsh Middle School

  Walsh Middle School opened in 1969. It is named after Framingham educator, William S. Walsh. Its school colors are maroon and gold, and its mascot is the Walsh Wildcats. The school is located on Brook Street. It is near nature paths, athletic fields, and farmland, next to the Hultman Aqueduct and the Dunning Elementary School.

High School

• Framingham High School (grades nine through 12)

From 1963 to 1990, Framingham had two separate high schools: Framingham North High School and Framingham South High School. These two schools often competed in sports, creating a friendly rivalry. Because fewer students were attending, the two schools were combined. They moved to the campus of Framingham North, which was then renamed Framingham High School. The Framingham South High School building became the Fuller Middle School.

The two old high schools had different colors and mascots. North High had the Spartans in green and gold. South High had the Flyers in blue and white. When the schools merged, students voted on new colors and mascots. The winning choice was the Spartans in blue and white. However, former students of the original Framingham High protested. They wanted the town to go back to the original mascot and colors, which happened to be those of Framingham South. The School Committee agreed with the alumni and changed the decision.

• Eugene Thayer Campus (grades nine through 12)

  The Thayer Campus is a special school for students who learn better in a different kind of school setting.

See also

In Spanish: Escuelas Públicas de Framingham para niños