# Athol High School

Athol-Royalston Regional High School is a public high school in Athol, Massachusetts, United States. The Bears are the school mascot and the school colors are red and white. The Old Athol High School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The current high school is at 2363 Main Street. It is part of the Athol-Royalston Regional School District.
The school serves grades 9–12. In 2016, it reported 358 students and a 75–79 percent graduation rate. The school registered 8 percent minority enrollment. It scored above average in state tests.

## History

The first high school in Athol was built in 1856 at the "Old Athol High School site" at 494 School Street. In the 1890s, construction of a new high school began and additions and expansions continued with a new main building constructed in 1937 in an art deco style. It was converted to a junior high school in 1957, closed in 2003, and is now a senior living center.

## Athletics

Athol High School competes in the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference. It maintains a rivalry with Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School.

## Classes

The school has a wide variety of different classes a student is able to take. Electives are worth about .5 of a credit and semester classes such as English, Algebra, history, ect are worth about 1 credit. Freshman science classes are a full year class and give the same amount of credits as a semester class would. Students are able to take honors classes worth about 3 credits that boost their GPA. AP classes are only available to Sophomores and higher, they are more challenging classes and if students are able to take 2 AP classes their Sophomores year, they are able to receive a study block. If they are unmanageable with their time in that study block, the students counselor will discard their study period and they will have a regular class. The school is able to enroll students in a dual enrollment program where students are able to take college level courses and the high school. They have a college professor attend the school only a few days out of the week. To enroll in these classes, you must have exceptional grades, you cannot be failing any classes. If you fail the Collage class, you are kicked out and have to pick up another class. For seniors, they are allowed to leave the school and attend a nearby college that accepts Athol students through the dual enrollment program.

## Drivers Ed

The drivers Ed program allows students to take driving courses in the school, although this is a term class, it is very specific to get in. Kids must have all the requirements to be allowed in the class: they have to have good grades, they have to be in school, individuals under 18 seeking a driver's license must complete a driver's education program that includes: 30 hours of classroom instruction, 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training, 6 hours of in-car observation, A 2-hour parent or guardian class, The Athol High school pays for your learning at the highschool.
Students can begin classroom instruction at 15 years and 9 months old. However, they must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid learner's permit before starting behind-the-wheel training.
The Athol-Orange Driving School offers comprehensive driver training, including both classroom and on-road instruction. The total cost for the program is $700, with $350 allocated for classroom instruction and $350 for on-road training. Classes commence on the first Monday of each month via the Zoom platform.

## Notable alumni

* Shawn Patterson (composer)