Each year, Newsweek releases its list of America's Top High Schools. One New England school cracked the top 40 for 2015: Dover-Sherborn High School has captured the 16th spot.
"I think it was a proud moment for our community, a proud moment for our teaching staff," said Headmaster John Smith.
The school of 600 students boasts some impressive numbers: a 100% graduation rate, with 99.3% of students going on to college, and an average AP test score of 4.25.
"I think it's kind of the perfect mix of a supportive community, motivated kids, dedicated teachers, and that willingness to be challenged and also that willingness to really be the best student you can be," said Smith.
He told necn they fine-tune that successful formula each year, thanks in part to an affluent community that funds their educational needs.
"You constantly need to be improving your craft, examining your curriculum, and the best way to do that is to have teachers say, 'I want to try something different. I'm going to take an academic risk,'" Smith said.
Teacher Gretchen Donohue has embraced that risk-taking, even inviting a hip-hop artist into her classroom.
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"My students laugh but I tell them I'm living the dream. I've always wanted to be an English teacher. And the fact that I get to be at this school, I feel incredibly lucky," said Donohue.
"There's just simply a high level of expectation but there's also a confidence level that is exerted from the teachers to our students that you will be prepared, you do the work, and we will work on this together. Together we'll achieve," Smith said.
Star students agree that the teaching staff, along with ambitious classmates, help them reach their fullest potential.
"It's alive. Like, coming to school every morning, there's so much energy," senior Mary Kate Charron told necn.
"When you have that nice network of people who not only really want you to do well but are willing to lend an extra hand or be there to support you is really nice," said senior Stephen Cone.
"I think we have this atmosphere of no one gets left behind. And I think that's really important for us, to feel that no matter what level you're at and how advanced you are, they can get where they need to be," said junior Aleaya McFarlan.
It's a school that's personalizing learning and always aiming to improve.
"We are constantly striving to make those changes and not say, well, we're considered a top school and that's good enough. A top school in our eyes is what we're doing every single day," Smith added.
The ambitious students at Dover-Sherborn clearly work hard, and this year, they have a little added bonus to help them de-stress a bit: The teachers won't be assigning any homework over Thanksgiving break.
