With the 2024-25 school year underway, Scituate High School principal Marc Loranger is optimistic about school culture and academic achievement.
Following recent research, the U.S. Department of Education now encourages limitations on cell phones in schools. Therefore, SHS has adopted a stricter phone policy moving forward – students must place their phones in classroom phone holders during each class. Loranger said the policy is “the big thing this year…to get phones out of student’s hands during instruction time.”
So far, Loranger believes students are cooperating with the policy. During his daily hall walks, Loranger has viewed “students putting their phones away.” Although students may have been initially skeptical, the protocol is meant to enhance learning, and phone usage is still allowed during lunch, passing times and WINN block, when not in the classroom. Loranger strongly believes in the “importance for kids to communicate and engage,” but he also wants students to “focus during learning time.” Student compliance with this policy has been better than expected, per Loranger, “Scituate kids are awesome and very respectful.”
Loranger also strongly believes in enforcing tighter attendance policies. Massachusetts public schools have an average attendance rate of 94%, and SHS average attendance rate is slightly higher – evidence that new regulations have been successful. This year, when a student has a concerning number of absences, school administrators call home with a “wellness check-in” to ensure the student’s health and safety.
Continued efforts to build a strong school culture include a new mentor program. Consisting of around 25 to 30 upperclassmen, the program aims to “guide incoming freshmen,” especially those who may be apprehensive about the transition from Gates Intermediate School. To better the school community, Loranger has prioritized his presence in the building, exemplifying “showing up” to ensure students feel important. Being “present in the hallways and at games is the key to fostering a supportive community,” Loranger said.
Loranger also hopes to “see more students get involved,” – a goal facilitated by a wide range of extracurricular activities made available. Three new clubs have been organized since the start of the school year, and feedback has been positive. Loranger noted that “parents are very supportive,” and the students are “friendly and motivated,” allowing SHS to maintain a positive environment.
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, a “College, Community, and Career Day” was organized for SHS students. Instead of participating in a regular school day, freshmen engaged in community-building activities, sophomores visited local colleges or met with union members, juniors participated in the Credit for Life program, and seniors completed community service projects. All of these initiatives promoted unity and class bonding while emphasizing community engagement.
On the academic front, Loranger aims to focus on the “ongoing push to improve MCAS and AP scores.” Expected to boost engagement, the new attendance policy should help lead SHS to success with this goal. Loranger explained that attending school allows students to interact and be proactive, and “when you’re having fun, you’re engaged and learning,” which in turn, improves test scores.
Several building and campus improvement projects may also encourage students to enjoy their learning environment more. Upgrades include a new floor in the senior cafe, new lighting in the hallways, improved basketball hoops in the gym, and new tennis courts.
Loranger noted that while it is important to have a nice facility, “it is not the building that makes the high school, but the staff and the students that make the high school.”