Dover-Sherborn Regional School District

Dover-Sherborn Regional School District
Name	Dover-Sherborn Regional School District
Type	Public regional
Location	Dover and Sherborn, Massachusetts, United States
Country	USA
Superintendent	Dr. John Smith
Budget	~$40 million (FY2024)
Students	~1,800
Website	www.doversherborn.org

Dover-Sherborn Regional School District is a high-performing public school system serving the adjacent suburban towns of Dover and Sherborn in MetroWest region of Massachusetts. Governed by a regional school committee, the district operates a middle school and high school for students from both communities, while each town maintains its own elementary schools. It is consistently ranked among the top school districts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States for academic achievement, student outcomes, and per-pupil expenditure.

History

The district was formally established in the mid-20th century, culminating with the opening of the original Dover-Sherborn Regional High School building in 1960, a period of significant suburban growth in the Boston area. Prior to this regionalization, students from Sherborn attended high school in neighboring Ashland under a tuition agreement. The creation of the regional district was driven by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's push for consolidation and the communities' desire for local control over secondary education. A major renovation and expansion of the high school and middle school campus was completed in the early 21st century, funded by a local debt exclusion vote approved by voters in both towns.

Schools

The district comprises four schools: Dover-Sherborn Regional High School (grades 9-12) and Dover-Sherborn Regional Middle School (grades 6-8), which share a campus on Farm Street in Dover. The two sending elementary schools are operated independently by their respective towns: the Charles River School (a private institution attended by some residents) is not part of the public system, while public students attend Dover Elementary School in Dover and Pine Hill Elementary School in Sherborn. The Massachusetts School Building Authority has partnered with the towns on several facility improvement projects for the elementary schools.

Academics and rankings

The district is perennially ranked at the top of state and national lists, including those published by U.S. News & World Report and Niche. In 2023, Dover-Sherborn Regional High School was named the #1 public high school in Massachusetts by U.S. News & World Report. Students consistently achieve among the highest average scores in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on standardized assessments like the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) and rank highly in National Merit Scholarship recognition. The curriculum features extensive Advanced Placement course offerings, with a very high percentage of students earning qualifying scores on AP Exams.

Administration and funding

The district is governed by a regional school committee composed of elected members from both Dover and Sherborn. Operational oversight is provided by a superintendent, currently Dr. John Smith, who is appointed by the committee. Funding is derived primarily from local property taxes, with additional state aid from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and minor federal grants. The district has one of the highest per-pupil expenditure rates in Massachusetts, supporting small class sizes, extensive student services, and robust instructional resources. Annual budgets are approved by town meeting votes in both communities.

Athletics and extracurriculars

Competing in the Tri-Valley League, the Dover-Sherborn Raiders have won numerous MIAA state championships, particularly in lacrosse, soccer, and tennis. The athletic facilities include a turf field complex named for benefactor Norton Family. A wide array of extracurricular activities is offered, including nationally competitive programs in speech and debate, Model United Nations, and science olympiad. The music and arts programs are highly regarded, with performing groups regularly receiving honors at competitions sponsored by organizations like the Berkshire Music Festival.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni include actress and singer Ally Sheedy, former United States Ambassador to Finland Earle Mack, and biotechnology executive John Maraganore. In athletics, professional Major League Lacrosse players like Will Manny and Jared Ward are graduates. Other distinguished graduates have gained prominence in fields such as law, with several serving as justices on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and academia, holding professorships at institutions like Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Category:School districts in Massachusetts Category:Education in Norfolk County, Massachusetts Category:Public school districts in the United States