Cambridge Rindge and Latin School

Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
Name	Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
Established	1977 (merger)
Type	Public, comprehensive
District	Cambridge Public Schools
Principal	Damon Smith
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	~2,200
Colors	Black and orange
Mascot	Falcon
Location	Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Cambridge Rindge and Latin School is the sole public high school within the Cambridge Public Schools district, serving the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Formed in 1977 from the merger of the historic Cambridge High and Latin School and the Rindge Technical School, it enrolls approximately 2,200 students in grades 9–12. The school is known for its diverse student body, extensive academic programs, and a notable roster of alumni who have achieved prominence in fields such as politics, entertainment, science, and athletics.

History

The institution's lineage traces back to the 19th century with the founding of the Cambridge High and Latin School, which itself evolved from earlier public schools in the city. The separate Rindge Technical School, established through a bequest from Frederick H. Rindge, focused on vocational training. In 1977, the Cambridge School Committee merged the two schools to create a comprehensive educational model. This merger occurred amidst broader national debates on desegregation and educational equity, with the school later implementing a house system to foster community. The campus has been the site of significant events, including a 1992 visit by then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton to discuss urban education.

Academics

The school offers a wide array of academic tracks, including extensive Advanced Placement courses and specialized programs like the Rindge School of Technical Arts. Students can pursue studies in engineering, biotechnology, and visual arts, with many courses offering college credit through partnerships with local institutions like Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The curriculum emphasizes both rigorous college preparatory work and hands-on career training, with a particular strength in mathematics and science education that feeds into prestigious competitions such as the Intel Science Talent Search. A robust English learner program supports a significant multilingual student population.

Campus and facilities

The main campus is located on Broadway in the Cambridgeport neighborhood, centered around a distinctive, sprawling complex originally built for the Rindge Technical School. The facility includes the Fitzgerald Theater, a fully equipped professional venue used for performances and assemblies. Recent renovations have added state-of-the-art science laboratories, a modern library media center, and dedicated spaces for the arts and technical programs. The school also utilizes the adjacent War Memorial Recreation Center and fields for athletics, and its architecture is a noted example of early 20th-century scholastic design in New England.

Athletics and extracurriculars

Athletic teams, known as the Falcons, compete in the Dual County League and offer a wide range of sports including basketball, soccer, and track and field. The school has a strong tradition in ice hockey and has produced several professional athletes. Extracurricular activities are vast, encompassing award-winning programs in debate, Model United Nations, and journalism through the student newspaper. A vibrant arts scene includes theater productions, several musical ensembles, and a nationally recognized poetry slam team that has competed at the Brave New Voices festival.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved distinction across numerous fields. In politics and law, notable figures include former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, former U.S. Solicitor General Robert B. Reich, and climate policy expert Van Jones. The entertainment world counts actors Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Emma Watson, alongside musicians Mike Gordon of Phish and Megan Amram. Scientific and academic alumni include Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner Dudley R. Herschbach and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. In sports, alumni include NBA champion Patrick Ewing and Olympic medalist Tiffany Porter.

In popular culture

The school and its campus have served as a filming location for several major motion pictures, most notably providing the setting for the fictional Bunker Hill Community College in *Good Will Hunting*, which starred alumni Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Its distinctive auditorium and hallways have also appeared in films like *The Social Network* and *Black Mass*. The school's drama program and urban setting have made it a frequent subject of local media profiles and documentary projects focusing on public education in the United States.

Category:Educational institutions established in 1977 Category:Public high schools in Massachusetts Category:Cambridge, Massachusetts