• All students are required to be in proper uniform.  Flynn & O'Hara is our official uniform provider.  All uniforms items are available for purchase online at FlynnO'Hara. 

• Flynn & O'Hara will be present for uniform fittings during the Ice Cream Social on May 28.

• The AWHS Uniform Guidelines can be found in the Parent & Student Handbook.

• Archbishop Williams has a contractual relationship with Adidas.  Uniform-appropriate items and spirit wear items can be purchased through the online Adidas store.    

We are excited to announce a 1:1 laptop program by the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

We believe that we can improve our digital learning environment through a 1:1 laptop computer program. Our policy will be as follows:

• All new students in Grade 8 - 12 at AWHS will be required to purchase a laptop computer. 

• Students in Grade 7 will not have a personal device. Instead, AWHS will purchase Chromebooks for students to use as needed at teacher discretion. Chromebooks are an excellent platform to introduce internet research, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and basic digital etiquette. 

Laptops Offer the Following Benefits:

• Students will be using laptops to complete their work in college so we are directly preparing them for that experience. 

• Students can utilize the full version of programs such as Microsoft Office and the Google Suite. AWHS is a Microsoft Office 365 School so all students receive five downloads of the full Microsoft Office suite for free.

• The more robust capacity of laptops will allow us to expand our technology offerings to include Computer Programming or software packages like the Adobe Creative Suite or 

• “Screens Up/Screens Down” will result in easier classroom management for teachers. Moreover, when students are working on their laptop, it is easier for a teacher to look at screens.

Laptop Requirements

• Students may use any laptop provided they meet the following specifications:

• An Intel i5 processor or better — or its equivalent in other brands.

• 128 GB of internal hard drive storage or better

• 8 GB memory (RAM)

• Eight hours of battery life on a single charge or better

• Have a fold up/fold down screen—no Surface tablets or iPad Pro.

Costs

We are in the process of negotiating discounted AWHS endorsed options for our families with anticipated prices around $500.

Rollout

In the Spring, we will hold information sessions on the new laptop requirement as well as be at the Parent Support Board meetings to answer questions and respond to concerns. 

We will be sending out more specific information on how to purchase a discounted “AWHS-endorsed” laptop. 

Some Initial Questions

1. Does it really matter whether students have a Windows or Apple based laptop?

Aside from personal preference, it will not matter. Programs such as PowerSchool, Schoology, Microsoft Office, and the Google Suite work equally well in both environments. Most of all the other in-class programs that teachers use, like Kahoot, are web-based and hence platform agnostic.

2. What about digital textbooks? 

All of the digital textbooks that we use have versions that can be used on any device, laptop included. Our seventh grade will not use digital textbooks.

3. Will students be required to purchase specific software?

In general, no. The only software students will be required to have is the Microsoft Office Suite, which the school currently provides for free. Every AWHS student is entitled to five downloads of the Office Suite. There may be certain specialized classes that will require the purchase of specific programs, but that will be the equivalent of purchasing a textbook for the class.

4. AWHS doesn’t allow backpacks. How will students carry their laptop to class?

We will be changing our backpack policy for next year to allow students to carry their laptops and textbooks safely to class. 

5. Won’t having a mixed year of laptops and iPads be confusing?

For next year, our teachers will continue to construct their lessons around the capabilities of the iPad, not the more robust capacity of a laptop. However, there will most likely be times next year that students with laptops find it easier to complete certain assignments due to nature of the device.

6. Why the difference between 7th and 8th grade? Shouldn’t everyone use Chromebooks?

In this current school year, we started integrating some eighth grade and ninth grade classes. Next year, all of our eighth graders will take either French I or Spanish I, which will be mixed with ninth graders. We did not want to create a situation in which students had different devices in the course. Additionally, requiring eighth graders to have a laptop will give us the opportunity to train them in the use of the device.

7. Chromebooks are cheaper than laptops. Can a high school student have a Chromebook?

We believe that the Chromebook is excellent for middle-school level work. It is simply not robust enough for the work of a college preparatory high school.

 

• The AWHS Athletics program, 24 varsity male and female sports with many sub-varsity teams, is open to all "Bishops" in Grades 7-12. 

• Students interested in trying out for a Fall sport (Football, Golf, Soccer, Cross Country, or Volleyball) must register in the Spring 

• In order to be eligible to tryout for a sport, the following is required:
          • Register the student-athlete on FamilyId
          • Ensure that the student-athlete's Physical is current and on file with the School Nurse.
          • Complete and submit certificate for completion of an online Concussion Safety course.
          • All student-athletes MUST be "cleared" by the School Nurse well in advance of tryouts to be considered eligible to participate.

• All students are eligible to play one sport per season (Fall, Winter & Spring).  Tryouts for the individual seasons are:
          • Fall -- Mid-late August
          • Winter -- Monday after Thanksgiving
          • Spring --  March

• FREE "Summer Conditioning" is open to all enrolled AWHS students.  Under the direction of the AWHS Trainer and Athletic Department, students can participate in tailored workouts Monday - Friday from 8-10am.  Students must be registered in FamilyId and cleared by the School Nurse to be eligible to participate.  The Summer Conditioning Program is open for daily, weekly, or sporadic participation; however, consistent attendance is encouraged! 

• All Athletic information (including specific tryout schedules) can be found on GoBishops.com

• Athletic questions should be directed to Mr. Gordie McClay, Athletic Director, (gmcclay@awhs.org or 781-843-3636 x 1410).  

 

• All AWHS students are required to complete Community Service Hours annually:
          • Grade 7 -- complete two collective, in-school service days during the school year
          • Grade 8 -- complete two collective, in-school service days during the school year plus five (5) hours of individual service hours
          • Grade 9 -- complete 15 hours of service
          • Grade 10 -- complete 20 hours of service
          • Grade 11  -- complete 20 hours of service
          • Grade 12 -- complete 15 hours of service  

• New students may begin accruing service hours as of July 1st.

• Guidelines for Community Service 

• Questions relating to service requirements can be directed to Mr. David Gilpin, Director of Campus Ministry (dgilpin@awhs.org or 781-843-3636 x 1423. 

 

Conveniently located at the junction of Routes 3, 128 and 93, AWHS is very accessible.  Many students are driven to campus daily.  In addition, there is a bus stop on the #230 MBTA bus route located steps away from the front doors of AWHS giving students the ability to commute to school via the Redline and Commuter Rail.

The Quincy Adams Gateway (the Redline) has also opened steps away from our campus, giving our students another, more accessible way to get to and from school.  

On behalf of the entire Archbishop Williams community, we would like to thank all of the Sacred Heart families who took the time this week to speak, meet, and/or visit with us and consider joining our family. We truly believe that AWHS is a natural fit for your sons and daughters and would be honored to welcome them into their new home with us.

As you make your final decision, we thought it might help to review the most common questions which have arisen and reiterate our promises to you:

Transportation: How Do I Get to AWHS?
Our Athletic Director, Gordie McClay, a Plymouth resident and parent of six former or current AWHS students, often relates what he was told by a parent when he was considering AWHS for his oldest child,  “Don’t worry about getting here, it works out.” He admits to being somewhat skeptical at the time, but concedes that they were right-it does. We draw from nearly 50 cities and towns, including many in the Kingston area, because, distance aside, it’s a straightforward commute to Archies--especially for those headed toward Boston for work.
 
Kingston/Plymouth MBTA Commuter Rail
The 7:11 Commuter Rail arrives at Braintree Station at 7:50 AM, in plenty of time to take the Red Line one stop to the Quincy Adams T Station, about a 5-minute walk straight up  Independence Avenue. School starts at 8:12 AM. Alternatively (or on bad weather days) the No. 230 Bus picks up at the Braintree Station and drops students off right in front of the school. 
 
Earlybirds can catch the 6:19 AM train. Morning supervision begins in our state-of-the-art Cafeteria at 7 AM with full breakfast service available for purchase. 
 
Given the number of our students who commute, there are always a number of friendly faces on the MBTA. 
 
Route 3/Route 93
AWHS is a convenient “hop on/hop off” location from the highway, immediately adjacent to the Washington St. exit off Route 3, or Exit 7 from Route 93. You can drop your child off in the morning and be quickly on your way.
 
Family Carpools
We are happy to help facilitate family carpools with other students in your area.  A number of our families commute into Boston every day AND happily offer to drive students--it’s part of our community’s DNA. 
 
“Why Don’t You Provide a Dedicated School Bus?”
Everytime we’ve experimented offering an Archies bus (even something as basic as a van pickup from Braintree or Weymouth), over time students indicated their preference for the many alternate means of getting here and stopped using our bus option. If there was sufficient interest we would certainly reconsider.
 
In any event, it’s important to consider that while a school bus service can get you to AWHS, our many sports, clubs, and activities will keep you here long past the close of school . All of these transit options also make it easier to be full participants in our vibrant student life opportunities.

Course Selection & Class Size: Will I Get Into the Courses I Want?
As soon as you register for AWHS, our terrific guidance staff will reach out to you to begin course selection. You will be placed in the level you qualify for at Sacred Heart (or its equivalent at AWHS).  We do not shut students out of classes because of space. If we have additional demand for particular courses, we create additional sections, including for AP.

We cap our courses at 24 students and most sections average between 20 and 22 students, with a special emphasis on keeping our English class sizes small to facilitate more research and writing. 

The School Day: When Do You Open and Close?
The AWHS school day starts at 8:12 AM and ends at 2:20 PM.  We offer morning supervision in the McGrath Student Center/Cafeteria starting at 7 AM, and provide after school supervision there until 5 PM. Teachers are available for tutorials by 7:30 AM, and we offer a host of activities before and after school. 

Technology: What Device Do You Use?
AWHS is starting a two-year transition from being an iPad school to a laptop school. After an intense faculty study, we found that neither iPads nor Chromebooks provide all the tools needed to execute a robust college preparatory curriculum. We are asking all new students next year to purchase a laptop (anyone will do--Mac or PC--provided it has good battery life) and we will be offering suggested models later this Spring at discounted prices. 
 
Our students have been given a year’s grace period to continue with their iPad. Sacred Heart students will have the same option. We recommend purchasing a laptop, but if you have an iPad and wanted to use it for next year, that will be fine. 

Application Process: How Do I Apply and Will I Get Accepted?
We are guaranteeing admission for all students in good standing, meaning that if you were going to be welcomed back at Sacred Heart next year, you will be embraced with open arms here. All we need is for you to fill out the “top sheet” of our online application to collect your basic information.  We’ll get your records from Sacred Heart. We do not need any recommendations, and don’t know how that harmful rumor started. 

Tuition: What Does Tuition Include and Will You Honor our Merit/Aid Awards?
Our tuition is “all inclusive” in that so we do not charge additional fees for athletics, our summer conditioning program, access to the school’s certified strength and conditioning coach, internet access, publications and mailings, retreats, etc. We are waiving the usual application and registration fees for all Sacred Heart families joining us next year.

All Sacred Heart merit scholarships and financial aid awards will be honored. 

College Admissions: When Will College Guidance Start?
All rising seniors will immediately become enrolled in our college guidance program. Our expert counselors will provide them with all the information we are giving our current students and set them up with an account in SCIOR, the new standard for college admissions programs (replacing Naviance, which Sacred Heart uses). We will help them refine their application lists and ensure they are ready to meet all early application deadlines in the Fall.

We have a robust college guidance program for all of our students--we will get your child into the school that is the right fit for them.

Earned Status/Position: Will AWHS Respect the Leadership Position I've Earned?
AWHS does not want Sacred Heart students to lose any earned status they would have held next year, especially as a senior.  Any recognition such as a team captain or peer minister that Sacred Heart has bestowed will be honored -- we want Sacred Heart leaders to be leaders in our combined communities.

Some Closing Thoughts: Why Should I Come to AWHS?
Our goal has been to give you a true sense and clear picture of our mission and vision in order that you might make the best-informed decision for your children. We are a caring Catholic community driven by the love of Christ and committed to giving all of our students the best co-educational, college preparatory experience possible. 
 
We are both self-aware and “comfortable in our own skin." Throughout the Sacred Heart visiting days, we showed you our normal operations, not a special “show.” Your students had access to all of our classes and even the breakfast refreshments were simply what we offer daily.
 
We have an excellent academic leadership team, an appropriately challenging curriculum, and a talented, dedicated faculty committed to their profession and our students.  We are well managed and have been engaged in an aggressive campus and facilities improvement plan for a number of years.  We have never been on more solid ground financially or better prepared for the future.
 
For all of these reasons and more, we think AWHS is a natural home for Sacred Heart students and their families, whether for next year only or for the next four years. We are confident that Fr. Wally Keymont, our former school chaplain and current Board member, who has such close ties with the Sacred Heart community, would agree wholeheartedly.
 
The Church teaches us that we’re all called to be on the path to sainthood, but that none of us are ready to be fitted with halos yet. It would be a privilege to walk that path together, Sacred Heart and Archbishop Williams, as one family.