August 2026
Dear MHS Families,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable summer and are looking forward to an exciting new school year. Whether you are joining us as a new student at Marlborough High School or returning for another year, we have many updates and opportunities to share.
Students, as you return to Marlborough High School, you will notice several physical changes to our building designed to create a more connected and supportive environment for students and staff. Not only do we have new locker rooms and first-floor restrooms, but we have updated spaces throughout the building to provide opportunities for our school community to learn and connect in new ways. The staff has a dedicated Professional Learning Community space in the Library Media Center to support collaboration and professional growth, while our new Club Corner gives students a centralized place to engage in extracurricular activities. We are also in the process of bringing back a robust, student-based school store.
A lot of movement took place over the summer to thoughtfully redesign the building to better support how our school community works and learns. Hallways are department-based to create a stronger sense of identity within content areas. Additionally, we have dedicated a whole wing to our 8 - 10 Alternative Education Program to create a space for project-based and career-centered learning. Finally, the principal’s office has moved to the second floor in order to be more centrally located so school leadership is more accessible and visible to students, families, and staff.
With all of these changes, our goal at Marlborough High School is to build a strong sense of community for a positive, engaging, and memorable 2026-2027 school year. With that being said, the first day of school is Wednesday, September 2nd, and we are eager to welcome our students back to campus.
Marlborough Public Schools has developed the Portrait of a Learner, our shared vision for student success. We believe every student has the potential to be Connected and Collaborative, Independent and Adaptable, Critical and Creative Thinkers, and Engaged and Responsible. This will guide our work with students throughout the year.
We strongly believe in maintaining open communication between school, home, and the greater Marlborough community. Therefore, we will keep you updated with timely, relevant information through the MHS website, Aspen, and our MPS Mobile App. Just as importantly, we welcome your feedback. We encourage families to share what is working well and offer suggestions for areas where we can continue to grow and improve.
Here are a few other important pieces of information as we prepare for the first day of school:
Opportunities at MHS: At MHS, we are creating a high school experience designed to meet the needs of every student. We are excited about new and expanding programs, including our 6-12 Accelerated Learning Program, the 8 - 10 Alternative Education program, and our expanding internships and CTE opportunities. These initiatives are part of our commitment to creating an environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and connected. We continue to offer our Advanced Placement (AP) courses and dual-enrollment courses with Quinsigamond Community College in order to challenge students academically while earning college credits in high school.
Stay Connected with Aspen: As a member of the MHS community, Aspen is an important resource for staying connected to your student's education. Aspen is our student database management system, where you can find helpful information such as your student's schedule, grades, and attendance. If you are having difficulty accessing the Aspen portals, please contact the guidance department or the main office for assistance.
Get Involved! There are a lot of ways to get involved at MHS. Students are encouraged to participate in at least one extracurricular activity, whether through athletics, clubs, music ensembles, or leadership groups. To learn more about sports at MHS, please visit our website, MHS Athletics. Please email our athletic director, Mr. Jones, with any questions regarding Fall sports at pjones@mps-edu.org.
We will also hold a club fair during the first four days of school for each grade, allowing students to explore the many clubs and activities available at MHS. If you have questions about clubs or getting involved, please reach out to Ms. Murphy at kmurphy@mps-edu.org. We encourage every student to find something they enjoy and to get involved!
Schedules: Schedules will be posted this week to the Student and Family Portals in Aspen. Please take a moment to carefully review your student’s schedule. Students should identify their A Period class prior to the first day of school since they will be reporting directly to their A period teacher at 8:00 Wednesday, September 2nd. Your counselor’s name is listed on the schedule. Please contact your counselor beginning August 24th if your schedule is incomplete or incorrect. Students will receive a paper copy of their schedule on the first day of school.
Incoming 9th Grade Orientation: Orientation will be on Friday, August 28th, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at MHS. Please encourage your student to come to our orientation. Mentors will be here to help support your student as they transition to MHS. The program will include small group activities, tours, and a chance for your child to walk through their schedule. Please sign up using the following link: Orientation Registration.
MHS Student Handbook (linked): Please review this handbook, which contains all the school’s resources, rules, and policies.
Cell Phones and Electronic Devices: All students at Marlborough High School will be expected to power down their cell phones and other electronic devices at the beginning of each day, and they will remain off until dismissal. Students will be required to place all phones, earbuds, and other electronic devices in the provided pouch during school hours every day. To maintain a safe, secure, and equitable learning environment, students are not permitted to bring personal technology devices to school for instructional or personal use. The decision to pouch cell phones this school year is rooted in our commitment to creating a consistent, focused, and equitable learning environment for all students. Cell phones and other personal devices can be a substantial disruption to learning and to meaningful peer-to-peer social interactions, and they are not necessary for students to be successful in the educational environment. Students have access to Chromebooks for online learning and instructional materials, with loaner devices available as needed. Cell phones are already pouched at the middle school, and extending this expectation through grades 6–12 creates consistency for students as they transition through our schools. We recognize that individual medical circumstances may require an exception, and medical exemptions may be arranged through communication with the principal. The updated cell phone policy was shared with families in June, and we appreciate students and families partnering with us to support these expectations throughout the school year. Please review the MHS cellphone and electronic device expectations found in our Student Handbook.
Chromebooks: All students should return to school this year with their MPS-issued Chromebook. If your Chromebook is damaged, not working properly, or lost, then please see Mrs. Jackson in the Library Media Center when you return to school. Students new to MHS should visit Mrs. Jackson in the Library Media Center at the start of school to complete a user agreement and receive a Chromebook. Incoming ninth grade students will receive a Chromebook during the first weeks of school.
Student Absences/Arriving Late: Regular student attendance is essential to support student learning in academics, as well as for personal, social, and emotional well-being. If your student is absent from school, please call the absence reporting line at 508-460-3500, then press “1”. If a student is not called out, the primary contact in Aspen will be alerted that the student is marked absent from school. You may also monitor your student’s classroom attendance through the Aspen portal. Students arriving to school late should report directly to the Main Office to check in. Because your student’s attendance to school is so important, you can expect to receive phone calls regarding absences. Additionally, we are excited to have the support of our 6-12 re-engagement coach to help reduce chronic absenteeism.
Student Dismissal: Students being dismissed must present a note to their House Office prior to the start of the school day. The note must be from a parent or guardian and signed. The note should also include a reason for the dismissal. If a student returns to school from an appointment, then they must sign in at the Main Office before returning to class. Medical dismissals will take place from the Nurse’s Office only. If your student contacts you to say they are not feeling well, then please direct them to speak to the Nurse.
Requesting Translation Services: Translation services are available for all school events and to help support parents when contacting MHS. Please use the contact information below to connect with our school translators and request services for an event or connect with a faculty member at MHS. Additionally, Haitian Creole translation services are available through the Registration & Parent Outreach Center at (508) 460-3594.
Portuguese Translation Services:
508-460-3500 ext. 17327
Spanish Translation Services:
508-460-3500 ext. 17414
Curriculum Night: Thursday, September 17th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Curriculum Night is an opportunity for families to come into the school and to experience what Marlborough High School has to offer. You will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and learn about the courses your student is taking. There will also be guidance counselors on hand to help you with access to Aspen and answer any questions you may have about the college application process and our scholarship offerings. Our sports, clubs, and activities will also be on display for you to learn more about the extracurriculars we enjoy and thrive in. Keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks.
MHS Parent- Teacher Conferences: This is an opportunity for parents to schedule meetings with individual teachers and have discussions relating to student progress in specific classes. More information will follow regarding the sign-up process for conferences a few weeks prior to each event. Please save the date and join us. We will provide translation services for these meetings as well. Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on the following dates:
Wednesday, November 4th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Wednesday, February 10th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Bus Routes: Bus information and routes are posted on the website at MPS Transportation. All students must be registered for the bus in order to ride on the bus. Bus registration is requested upon enrollment and reevaluated upon moves and school changes. Eligible students who do not take transportation to start the year can request a change in transportation access by contacting their school’s office. If you have questions or concerns regarding your bus route, then please contact our Transportation Coordinator at buses@mps-edu.org.
Student Drop Off/Pickup: Cars may only enter via the Poirier Road or LaFreniere Road Entrance. When school is starting or ending, students may only be dropped off or picked up at the rear of the school near the cafeteria entrance. Only buses are permitted to use the main entrance loop and small loop in front of the school during arrival and dismissal. All drop-offs or pick-ups occurring AFTER 8:00, should be at the main/front entrance but, please make every attempt to drop students off at the school by 7:45 am. Class starts right at 8:00 am.
Food Services: Every student in the district is eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch during the upcoming school year. Please encourage your student to access our school foods program! Breakfast is available in the cafeteria or as a grab-and-go bag depending on arrival time.
Student Parking: Student parking is a privilege for upperclassmen who possess a driver’s license. A parking permit must be obtained through the student’s House Office. Students in violation of the handbook requirements will be prohibited from bringing their vehicle onto school property. Student parking is allowed at the discretion of the building administration. Students with a valid permit must park in the student lot in the rear of the school building.
Senior All-Nighter Committee and Volunteers: The Senior All-Nighter Committee is a great way to get involved at MHS, whether you are the parent of a senior or an underclassman student. This event ensures that our children celebrate senior prom in a fun and responsible way. This community-sponsored event depends upon the generous support of parent volunteers and community business partners. Parent volunteers assist with fundraising and planning activities for the event. Please contact Denise Ryan at MHSAllnight@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering for this event. More information to follow throughout the year.
We are excited about the year ahead and look forward to partnering with you to make 2026–2027 a successful and rewarding year for all of our students. You made the right choice in choosing MHS, and we are thrilled to begin and to continue this journey together. My leadership team and I will honor our traditions as an MHS Community, while creating new, innovative pathways forward, in order to embrace new possibilities and create an experience that provides all students with opportunity, connection, and excitement. We cannot wait to start the 2026-2027 year with you and to make it a truly memorable experience. We look forward to seeing everyone on September 2nd!
Sincerely,
Sarah Casey, Principal
Steve Bishop, Assistant Principal
John Travers, Assistant Principal