Assabet Valley Vocational High School
215 Fitchburg Street, Marlborough, MA, 01752-1219 - Map Map

School Overview:
Definition of Terms
Assabet Valley Vocational High School
School Level High school
School Type Vocational school
Grades Offered Grades 9 - 12
County Middlesex County, MA
Students & Faculty
Total Students 916 students
% Male / % Female 62%  /  38%
Total Classroom Teachers 109 teachers
Students by Grade
Grade 9 - 235 students
Grade 10 - 241 students
Grade 11 - 247 students
Grade 12 - 193 students
This School
(MA) School Average
Teacher : Student Ratio 1:8 1:14
Students by Ethnicity
This School
(MA) School Average
% American Indian n/a n/a
% Asian 1% 3%
% Hispanic 11% 11%
% Black 1% 11%
% White 84% 73%
% Unknown 3 % 2%
Additional Student Information
This School
(MA) School Average
% Eligible for Free Lunch 14% 20%
% Eligible for Reduced Lunch 6% 4%
% Migrant Students Enrolled n/a n/a
School Performance:
(MA) Statewide Testing Performance
School Statewide Performance View Education Department Test Scores
School District:
School District Name Assabet Valley School District
This School's Agency
(MA) District Average
Number of Schools Managed 1 5
Number of Students Managed 916 students 2,427 students
District Total Revenue $17,410,000 $31,707,000
District Expenditure $17,920,000 $31,191,000
District Revenue / Student $19,007 $13,064
District Expenditure / Student $19,563 $12,852
District Graduation Rates n/a n/a
In the News:
View all past news stories
School Notes:
  • Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School (AVRTHS) is a vocational school located in the city of Marlborough, Massachusetts.
  • School Name
  • About 4 years ago, Assabet Valley voted to change the name of the school to its current name, Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School. The former, and original name, Assabet Valley Regional Vocational High School was thought to be by the administration an implement of only vocational education. Assabet wanted to pride on its academics and not just its vocational skills, therefore the name was changed. Contrary to belief, the schools name is not Assabet Valley Regional Technical Vocational High School. (AVRTVHS) The name of the school district was also changed, to Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School District. In a nutshell, the word Technical is used in the schools individual name. The word Vocational is used in the districts name. Neither of them are used together in any one name of the school or school district.
  • School District
  • There are 11 towns in the Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School District and they are Marlborough, Hudson, Maynard, Berlin, Boylston, West Boylston, Clinton, Shrewsbury, Westborough, Northborough, and Southborough. It is located in an urban and rural area with the largest city being Marlborough, with a population of over 37,000 people. Since the district operates only one school, all administrative office are located within the high school.
  • Vocational Education
  • Assabet Valley offers 19 different vocational shops. Each shop is required to be compatible for both males and females. The 20 shops offered are:
  • Automotive Collision Technology (Auto Body)
  • Automotive Technology (Auto Tech)
  • Business Technology
  • Biotechnology1
  • Computers Programming and Web Development (CPWD)
  • Cosmetology (Cosmo)
  • Culinary Arts & Chef Training (Food Trades/Culinary)
  • Design & Visual Communication (Digital Media)
  • Drafting & Design Technology (Drafting)
  • Electrical Wiring (EW)
  • Electronic Technology2 (Electronics)
  • Facilities Management (Facilities)
  • Graphic Communications (Print Shop/Graphics)
  • Health Technologies (Health Tech)
  • House Carpentry & Mill Work (Carpentry)
  • HVAC & Appliance Repair (HVAC/Appliance Repair)
  • Metal Fabrication (Metal Fab)
  • Painting and Design Technologies (P&D)
  • Plumbing
  • Precision Machining (Machine Shop/Machining)
  • 1New shop as of 2009
  • 2As of 2008, Electronic Technology will start a 3 year phase out.
  • Starting in 2009, Biotechnology will be a new shop available to incoming freshman. Also starting in 2009, Electronic Technology will be phased out in 3 school years. In addition to Biotechnology, a possible new shop will replace Electronics.
  • Freshman Exploratory and Permanent Placement
  • During the freshman year, students explore nine of Assabet's nineteen technical areas. Following the completion of the freshmen exploratory, students choose the three technical programs they would most desire for permanent technical program placement. Based on grades and attendance, students are placed in their permanent technical programs. Each student is notified of his or her placement in mid-February and will remain in that technical area for the remaining 3½ school years of technical program training.
  • Senior Project
  • Senior project is a graduation requirement at Assabet. Students must select a topic related to their particular technical program, create a research paper, create an actual presentation, and then present it to a panel of judges that includes teachers and professionals in their selected trade. There have been talks that senior project would be removed from the curriculum, but if this did happen it most likely would not happen until 2009 or 2010.
  • SkillsUSA
  • Assabet Valley has been involved with the SkillsUSA program (formerly known as VICA) for many years under the guidance of Steven Yurek, who also heads the Math Department. Assabet is in the Central District when competing on the district level, has hosted the State Competition on several occasions, and often send students to the National Competition The school year of 2006-2007 introduced Kathryn Diaz, the first State Officer ever from Assabet. Assabet is typically a fierce competitor at the SkillsUSA competitions. Students from Computer Programming & Web Development, Electrical Wiring, Health Technologies, and HVAC & Appliance Repair have a good record of winning medals at all levels of SkillsUSA competition. Students that place in 3rd place or higher within a Skills USA are eligible to skip senior project presentations.
  • Academics
  • Assabet Valley provides a comprehensive set of courses that are both challenging and supportive. The newest additions to curriculum include Advanced Placement courses in English Literature and Composition, U.S. Government and Politics, and several nationally recognized Pre-Engineering courses in conjunction with Project Lead the Way.
  • Classes Offered
  • English 9
  • College English 9
  • Honors English 9
  • English 10
  • College English 10
  • Honors English 10
  • English 11
  • College English 11
  • Honors English 11
  • Advanced Placement English 111
  • English 12
  • College English 12
  • Honors English 12
  • Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition
  • MCAS English Preparation
  • Electives:
  • Reading A
  • Reading B,C
  • Drama
  • Novel and Film (Grades 10, 12)
  • Journalism (Grade 11)
  • Publication (Grades 10, 12)
  • Sports Literature (Grade 12)
  • Creative Writing
  • Psychology (Grade 11)
  • Virtual High School1
  • SAT Preparation1
  • Art (Grade 11, 12)
  • Art and Film Appreciation (Grade 11, 12)
  • Spanish I
  • Spanish II
  • Spanish III
  • Portuguese I
  • Portuguese II
  • Portuguese III
  • 1 - *Classes offered as of 2009
  • Physical Education/Health
  • Students in grades 9 and 10 are required to take P.E. and health classes as one of their periods. Passing these classes with a 65 or higher average is a graduation requirement. Once students enter the 11th grade, P.E. becomes an elective, and no health classes are required to be taken with it. When in grades 9 and 10, students take P.E. 2 out of 3 trimesters, and the other trimester is dedicated to health.
  • Bell Schedule
  • The academic day at Assabet consists of 6 periods, with each period lasting 58 minutes. Students have 4 minutes to get to their next class, a change from 3 minutes used in previous school years.

  • (#) = Reverse week periods

  • 7:50 - 7:55: Homeroom
  • 7:58 - 8:56: Period 1 (6)
  • 9:00 - 9:58: Period 2 (5)
  • 10:02 - 11:00: Period 3 (4)
  • 11:00 - 11:34: Lunch for all academic students
  • 11:38 - 12:36: Period 4 (3)
  • 11:58 - 12:34: Lunch for all shop students
  • 12:40 - 1:38: Period 5 (2)
  • 1:42 - 2:40: Period 6 (1)

  • 2:45 PM: Buses depart
  • 2:45 - 3:45: Help sessions/Detentions
  • 4:00 PM: Late Buses depart
  • 5:30 - 6:00: Sports buses depart
  • Attendance
  • Because of its vocational certification process and limited academic hours, attendance at Assabet is of the utmost importance. Students must not exceed the following number of absences or they will receive an automatic failing grade for the term.
  • A student may not exceed two(2) undocumented absences in a term.
  • A student may not exceed two(2) documented absences in a term. (See below)
  • Although the handbook states that a student is only entitled to 2 undocumented absences and 2 documented ones, there is much confusion over the issue. It should be noted that students technically receive 4 undocumented absences per term and 4 documented ones. You may receive 2 of each in academics and 2 of each in shop per term.
  • Documented Absences
  • Although it is written in the student handbook, the number of documented absences is not counted against a student on the final report card, although students must have, a required, 500 vocational hours per year. If a student has good cause, as defined in the handbook as doctors visits, RMV appointments, religious holidays, or death in the family, the number of documented days is not a determining factor in receiving a Q grade.
  • Grading Scale
  • The grading scale at Assabet is different from most other schools in the sense that the passing grade at Assabet is a 65, rather than the usual 60. Here is the official grading scale:
  • 97-100 - A+
  • 93-96 - A
  • 90-92 - A-
  • 87-89 - B+
  • 83-86 - B
  • 80-82 - B-
  • 77-79 - C+
  • 73-76 - C
  • 70-72 - C-
  • 67-69 - D+
  • 65-66 - D
  • 0-64 - F
  • 64 - Q (See below)
  • Grade "Q"
  • Students with a passing grade who exceed 2 undocumented absences in a term will receive a grade of "Q" which will be considered a failing grade for that term. Suspension from school is also considered an undocumented absence. Students who failed a course, and exceeded the limit of absences still receive the grade they earned. For example, if a student was absent for 3 days, 1 day over the limit, but maintained an average of 60, he/she would receive the 60 and not the Q grade of 64.
  • Student Body
  • The student-body has nearly 1,000 students, (936 to be exact). It is broken down as follows:
  • By Grade
  • Grade 9 - 237 students
  • Grade 10 - 242 students
  • Grade 11 - 228 students
  • Grade 12 - 218 students
  • Office of Inspector General Investigation
  • After a WBZ (CBS) probe into Assabets spending habits the Massachusetts Office of Inspector General audited the schools finances. Highlights include 6 million in funds owed to member communities and excessive spending on education trips to Las Vegas, including a dinner tab for over one thousand dollars for 8 people. The superintendent was also investigated for being reimbursed twice for auto expenses.
  • Other Information
  • Superintendent/Director: Mary Jo Nawrocki
  • Assistant Superintendent: Patrick Collins
  • Principal: Mark Hollick
  • Dean of Students: Gerald Gahagan
  • Director of Cirriculum: Rob McCann
  • Vocational Director: Russell Mangsen
  • Academic Director: Shirley Lundberg
  • School Motto: "Raising the bar"
  • Mascot: Aztec
  • Colors: Blue, gold, and white
  • Teams: Aztecs, Lady Aztecs*
  • Age of school: 35 Years
  • Teacher to student ratio: 1 to 8.6
  • Address:
  • 215 Fitchburg Street Marlborough, MA 01752 Middlesex County Phone: (508)485-9432
  • [1]Assabet Valley
  • Source: Wikipedia; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.
  • Add/edit information about this school (e.g., awards, news stories, notable alumni, fun facts)
 
School Zip Code:
About This Zip Code (01752)
School Zip (01752)
(MA) State Average
Population (Approximate) 36,255 people 6,259,314 people
% (age 25+) w/College Degree 43% 40%
Population Average Age 36 years old 36 years old
Average Household size 2.5 persons 2.5 persons
Median Household Income $56,879 $49,959
Avg. # of Rooms in Household 5.3 rooms 5.4 rooms
Median Age of Housing Structure 43 years old 55 years old
View Current Housing Listings View current housing listings in this area
Median Value of Housing Unit
Zipcode (01752)


Zillow Median Value of Housing Unit
What's a Zindex?
Subject to Zillow Terms of Use
Zillow Median Value of Housing Unit
% Owning / % Renting 61% / 39% 58% / 42%
School Map:
1. Marlborough High School - 1568 students - 0.8 mi. away - view location
2. Hudson High School - 1064 students - 0.9 mi. away - view location
3. Algonquin Regional High School - 1273 students - 4.0 mi. away - view location
4. Nashoba Regional High School - 886 students - 6.5 mi. away - view location
5. Maynard High School - 324 students - 6.7 mi. away - view location
View all schools in: Marlborough, Middlesex County, Zip 01752 
Tip: Zoom in/out using the slider below. View aerial photos using the Satellite or Hybrid buttons.
Note: Data has been gathered from several government and commercial data sources. School data reflects 2006 statistics (most recent year available).

Featured Partner


my son transferred fromMarlboro High school to Assabet and graduated 5th in his class and got a presidential scholarship to Worcester State College Ma ...more
Add School Reviews Review school: Add School Reviews - Recommended Add School Reviews - Not Recommended
Public School Articles
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Unisex Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Unisex Pullover Hooded Sweatshirt
$43.99 $39.99

Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Essential T-Shirt
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Essential T-Shirt
$19.99

Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Men's Dri Mesh T-Shirt
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Men's Dri Mesh T-Shirt
$41.99 $36.99

Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Champion Men's Ringer T-Shirt
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Champion Men's Ringer T-Shirt
$23.99

Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Champion Men's Double Dry Shorts with Piping
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Champion Men's Double Dry Shorts with Piping
$32.99

Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Embroidered Colorblock Sport Duffel
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Embroidered Colorblock Sport Duffel
$39.99 $35.99

Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Embroidered Low Profile Cap
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Embroidered Low Profile Cap
$21.99 $19.99
Update mascot and colors