Souhegan High School

Infobox Public School
name = Souhegan High School
opened = 1992
type = Public
religion = None
head_name = Principal
head = Scott Prescott
city = Amherst, New Hampshire
state = NH
country = USA
enrollment = 980
faculty = 194
class = ~25 students
year = 2007
colors = Gold, White, Black
mascot = Saber
homepage = [http://www.sprise.com/shs/]

Souhegan High School is a high school located in Amherst, New Hampshire. Students from Amherst and Mont Vernon attend Souhegan for 9th through 12th grades. There are about 980 students and over 120 faculty members. The name is derived from the Souhegan River, which adjoins the school property, and the Souhegan Valley region of New Hampshire (which was, in turn, also named for the river).

For several decades, the two towns had sent their high school students - and Mont Vernon's middle school students - to neighboring Milford under a series of ten-year tuition contracts known as "Authorised Regional Enrolment Area" (or "AREA") agreements, the last of which expired at the end of the 1985-1986 academic year. Under the AREA agreements, Amherst and Milford paid tuition per student to the Milford School District but had no voice in its governance. Beginning in 1984, the two towns were each permitted to send one non-voting delegate to the Milford School Board, as was the high school's student body; delegates were excluded from executive session and, without voting authority, lacked influence. When negotiating the prospective 1986-1996 AREA agreement, Amherst and Mont Vernon sought significant improvements to the high school's physical plant (likely necessitating its entire replacement) and curriculum. Negotiations were protracted, during which time, the AREA agreement expired and the status quo was maintained with annual tuition agreements. A regional school district was proposed and put before the voters of all three towns in 1988. The proposal was defeated at the Milford School District deliberative session. Days later, the Amherst School District held its special deliberative session where Amherst voters enacted the ordinance. Mont Vernon followed suit within the week. The school opened in 1992, on property previously owned by the Amherst School District, adjoining the Amherst Middle School.

It was established as part of the Coalition of Essential Schools, using a philosophy that emphasizes cooperation between students and faculty. The school is known for not having bells, students addressing teachers by their first names, and no hall passes. The school adheres to six main rules (The Souhegan Six). The students are allowed to chew gum, wear hats, and eat outside. Juniors and seniors may leave campus for lunch as long as they meet the criteria for off-campus privileges.

The "Souhegan Six" are:"Respect and encourage the right to teach and the right to learn at all times. Be actively engaged in the learning; ask questions, collaborate, and seek solutions. Be on time to fulfill your daily commitments. Be appropriate; demonstrate behavior that is considerate of the community, the campus, and yourself. Be truthful; communicate honestly. Be responsible and accountable for your choices."

Students are evaluated based on the Souhegan Learner Expectations. Types of learner include "knowledgeable person", "complex thinker", "skilled information processor/consumer", "effective communicator/producer", "self-directed learner", "collaborative worker", and "responsible citizen". Students receive report card letter grades of A through C- or a NC, which stands for no credit and means that they have to retake the course.

The school runs an advisory program where approximately twelve students spend twenty-five minutes a day with one staff member. Advisories play games, order food, have discussions, and work together throughout the year to have fun in the middle of the day. The goal is to have a small group where students can get advice from peers they are comfortable with or meet students they otherwise wouldn't talk to.

Souhegan offers a week long program for sophomores called Wintercession. The number of trip options vary, but usually number around two dozen. These trips provide outstanding opportunities for group relationship building as well as exposure to the world outside of Amherst.

The school added a second building in 2003, which is called the Annex.

Souhegan's school newspaper is called the "Saber Scribe".

The school's mission statement, as painted on the front wall of the main entrance, states:

"Souhegan High School aspires to be a community of learners born of respect, trust and courage.We consciously commit ourselves:To support and engage an individual's unique gifts, passions and intentions.To develop and empower the mind, body and heart.To challenge and expand the comfortable limits of thought, tolerance, and performance.To inspire and honor the active stewardship of family, nation and globe."

The high school is part of the SAU-39 school district, which includes the middle and elementary schools in Amherst and Mont Vernon.

In 2003 the Boys basketball team were undefeated Class I champions and repeated as champions in 2004.

In 2006, 2007, and 2008 the boys varsity ice hockey team won division III state championships.