For Immediate Release:
Friday, October 18, 2024
Mayor’s Office Contact:
Eliana Agudelo, Chief of Staff
Worcester Mayor’s Office
Email Eliana
WPS Media Contact:
Dan O'Brien, Chief Communications Officer
Worcester Public Schools
Email Dan
Doherty Memorial High School Holds Ribbon-Cutting, Plaque Dedication Ceremony
New 425,000 Square-Foot Facility Opened for Students This Year
WORCESTER – Friday, October 18, 2024 – Yesterday, an official ribbon-cutting and plaque dedication ceremony was held to commemorate the opening of the new Doherty Memorial High School at 299 Highland Street, a state-of-the-art facility that began serving students in grades 9-12 on August 26. (View photos of the new building.)
“There are many allies in our local, state, and federal delegation that made this project possible,” said Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty. “I feel incredibly grateful to be celebrating another school, and we are incredibly fortunate to have strong partnerships that allow us the opportunity to improve the learning environment for our scholars.”
Numerous public officials, design and construction project leaders, school staff and students were in attendance to celebrate the opening of the 425,000 square-foot high school. The new building is located adjacent to the old high school building.
“This beautiful facility gives our scholars the space and resources they need to thrive academically, socially, and creatively,” said Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools. “The new Doherty is built for learning, for growing, and becoming the future-ready leaders of tomorrow.”
Former Doherty principals Cynthia McMullen and Sally Maloney with current Principal John Staley and Superintendent Rachel Monárrez. (All photos by Kyle Prudhomme/WPS)
The original Doherty Memorial High School building, which was demolished over the summer, opened in 1966 and was named after former WPS Superintendent Dr. Leo T. Doherty, who died at age 55 in 1962. Dr. Doherty’s daughter-in-law, Patricia (Dewaele) Doherty, and two of his grandchildren, Tim Doherty and Lorene Whitecross, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday.
Patricia Doherty, who attended the opening celebration of the original school in 1966, said that keeping the Doherty name on the new school building “means so much to his family.”
“I’m hoping his spirit is here. He would love it,” she said. “He was very humble. He never put himself first. This building is the city putting kids first. It’s part of his legacy.”
Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg speaks at the podium while gesturing toward Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty.
The new Doherty High School serves 1,700 students and features four academic wings, giving students a variety of environments designed for collaboration and innovation. It also features:
A large health and physical education space that includes a gymnasium, weight room, and wellness room that includes an adaptive space for students with disabilities
Audio equipment in classrooms, such as speakers in ceilings, to better serve students who are hard-of-hearing
Auditorium and black box theater
Music rooms
Spaces for four Chapter 74 career technical education programs, three of which are new: Construction Craft Laborer (new); Engineering Technology; Marketing, Management and Finance (new); and Programming and Web Development (new).
An underground staff parking garage
Electric vehicle charging stations
Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy system that provides 50% of the school’s electricity
Bicycle storage
An athletic field is currently under construction at the site of the former building.
Doherty student volunteers pose for a photo.
Doherty student Paola Renxa speaks at the podium.
The public is invited to take self-guided tours of the new building this Saturday, October 19, from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM. Students and staff will be present to help direct people walking through the building.
There is currently a silent fundraiser of commemorative items from the old school building; all of the proceeds will benefit Doherty. Items include bricks, signs, scoreboards, lockers, and auditorium chairs.
“Our goal is to create flexible learning environments that foster creativity, adaptability and independence,” Principal John Staley said. “Whether it’s through advanced STEM programs, creative arts, expanded and modernized vocational programs or community-based projects, we will use these resources to deliver a dynamic education that is responsive to the opportunities of the future.”
Also in attendance at yesterday’s ceremony were:
John Staley, Principal of Doherty Memorial High School
Sally Maloney, Former Principal of Doherty
Cynthia McMullen, Former Principal of Doherty
Eric Batista, City Manager of Worcester
Deborah B. Goldberg, Treasurer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Robyn K. Kennedy, State Senator
John J. Mahoney, State Representative
David Fontaine Jr., CEO of Fontaine Brothers Construction
Robert Para Jr., Principal, Lamoureux Pagano Associates Architects (LPAA)
Christina Bazelmans, Programming Director of LPAA
Rev. Dr. Debora Jackson, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Paola Renxa, Doherty Memorial High School Student Representative
Members of the Worcester City Council
Members of the Worcester School Committee
Representatives from North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Local 336
Representatives from Worcester-Fitchburg Building Trades Council
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