1. Rhoads Hall

Bright and open, Rhoads Hall is home to eight larger classrooms and as well as a central hall for quiet study, working with others – or even from time-to-time a dance party or holiday celebration! 

Most of Winchendon’s classrooms are designed to accommodate 6-10 students, with the flexibility to be set up for an “all-hands” discussion one moment and smaller group work 20 the next.   The only thing that you will very rarely find will be a monotonous lecture or the proverbial “back row”.

Classrooms are spread out through a half dozen other buildings, all close enough that even on the frostiest or wettest days that you don’t have to get bundled up to move between them

2. Newberry Math and Science

The Newberry Math and Science Building is home to labs, classrooms, and collaborative spaces. Some pursue passions in science, math, and technology and go on to ace AP exams. Many others discover that math, when experienced correctly, can be really interesting.   

Important features of Winch classrooms are not just the big windows that let the sun and fresh air in, but the doors that take us out of each building. Here, it’s a priority to get out of the classroom as often as possible, whether for learning science in the context of the environment, engineering real projects, or providing context for an issue being debated in class.

3. Faculty Hall Innovation Commons

Named “Innovation Commons” by an alumnus in recognition of Winchendon’s role in transforming high school education, the assortment of new classrooms, labs, and collaboration spaces in Faculty Hall inspire and foster creative thought and problem-solving.   Complex robots have been assembled here. Solutions for social challenges in the region have been conceived and planned from in these halls. And beautiful music and digital video have been created in the Innovation Commons.

Additional classrooms are spread out across the campus in a half dozen spaces, all within a quick few minute walk for easy access to teachers, advisors, and mentors every day.

4. College Counseling, Academic Leadership, and Hatch Center

College Counseling, academic leadership, and Learning Strategies are all located together – on purpose.   Our commitment is to ensure seamless communications and collaboration between these three functions in support of each of our students – including you.   

It starts ensuring that you understand how the decisions and course selections that you make during your ninth and tenth-grade year may impact the college opportunities that you have in your senior year.  And, if you are a student who will benefit from additional learning support, these resources are integrated into every aspect of your learning experience.   At Winchendon, students don’t leave their regular classes to go to a “learning center”.   Instead, “learning strategies” is woven through all aspects of your classes and independent study.  Your strategists help you develop new skills and stay organized.

This helps ensure that all of the key pieces are aligned when it is time to start the College Counseling process, which gears up starting in junior year and lasting until each student has the right match.

5. Faculty Hall – Dining Room and Gallery

Faculty Hall may be the heart and soul of the campus.  It’s about good meals, getting together with friends, and seeing all of the students and teachers together.   Bright during the day, glowing at night – even between meals, students want to hang out there – and it is not just to be first in line for another good meal.   Classes often meet in the dining hall just to take advantage of this wonderful space  – while the gallery just outside the main doors hosts an ever changing display of student and faculty art.  It’s a great space for all kinds of gatherings – all-school events and competitions, guest speakers and performances, holiday gatherings and parties… you name it – from serious to fun it happens in Faculty Hall.

6. Dockery Hall (Girls Dorm)

Dockery Hall, which was completed in 2011, serves as principal home for Winchendon’s boarding girls.   Dockery is actually four different residence halls of approximately  15-17 girls in a combination of singles and doubles, with each of the four halls anchored by a resident dorm head.  There are common areas on each floor for gathering  and hanging out, and shared laundry and kitchen facilities.

Dockery is conveniently located between the rink and the gym, across from the playing fields, and just a very quick walk to the main classroom building. 

7. Boys Dorms

Boys dorms are as much about friendship and being together as the physical space.  A range of singles and doubles – and a handful of triples – are spread out across five buildings in dorm units ranging in size from 12 to 20 students – each anchored by a resident faculty member.

In most cases, the dorm floor will be multi-aged, with the seniors and the PG’s serving as mentors and leaders to the younger guys.   Becoming a proctor is a sought after leadership opportunity, privilege, and responsibility.

Proctors become the engineers of the camaraderie, organizing dorm feeds and events, leading the charge into interdorm contests, and finding other ways to have fun. Yes, there are study hours and chores, but there are also pizza nights, dodgeball battles, and video game contests.

8. Rotenberg Fine Arts

If the great view of Mt. Monadnock doesn’t inspire you at least a little, the art faculty and wonderful learning spaces certainly will.  The lower level of the Rotenberg Art Center is home to sculpture and pottery, with a bright studio for design drawing and painting upstairs.   On one level, if you have never had a chance to participate in the arts, you are encouraged and welcome to try the fine arts for the first time, whether it be through a regular class, an afternoon activity or a ColLAB.  And for those of you who are already artists and want to further develop your skills and perhaps create a portfolio for college applications, you will find great guidance and a flexible schedule as well as extraordinary resources in Boston and throughout the region as well as the opportunity to access our campus in NYC.

9. Performing Arts – Trustees Hall and Posich Music Center

Together, the recently renovated Posich Center and the performance space in Trustees Hall serve as the hub for the performing arts.  Looking for a place to practice solo, jam with friends, or host a coffee house or small show?   Perhaps you want want to lay down some tracks?  Posich has the facilities for all of this.   

Or participate in a large show or musical performance, or stage your own show?   Trustees Hall is the place for larger productions including annual musicals and plays as well as special theater , student-written and directed shows, and guest performances.   

And those interested find opportunities to explore the vibrant theater and music scenes in Boston and New York through classes, Impact Learning, independent study, and internships.

10. Rotenberg Gym, Fitness Center, and Batting Cage

In the center of the campus – named in honor of one of our most supportive parents, Rotenberg Gym is the pulse of the athletic programs and conditioning.  A recently renovated fitness center and athletic trainer help make sure that serious athletes are ready for your seasons and college sports.  Two full-size courts are home to highly rated-basketball and volleyball programs that have prepared numerous students to compete on top college teams after TWS.  There is also a full-size batting cage to keep our baseball players ready for the season.

And, the gym is also a place for fun and relaxation, whether it is a quiet workout to get back in the zone, a pick-up game with friends, or a fun contest between dorms on weekends.   There is always something going on.

11. Athletic Fields and Courts

What happens when your playing fields were designed and maintained by a team who used to manage a golf course?   We get beautiful playing fields and facilities to support soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, ultimate frisbee, cross country – and a whole lot of other fun. 

And tennis courts, an indoor and outdoor basketball courts, and a disc golf course are right within the campus as well.

A water balloon fight, an outdoor class in the spring, a COVID-safe workout, tossing a football, a pickup game on a Sunday, or just lying around “catching some rays” are just some of the many fun things that you will find going on our fields.  They are right near the center of campus, making it easy to watch a game or just hang out.  

12. Ritchie Arena & Athletic Training Center

Our rink is named in Honor of Jason Ritchie ‘05 – whose “Life is Energy” mantra continues to inspire us all. “The Ritchie” not only hosts the highly competitive hockey programs that have propelled many of our alumni on to top college, junior and professional careers, but it provides opportunities to students hotting the ice for the very first time – as well as a host of other fun activities – and even graduation from time to time!   “The Ritchie” is also home to our athletic training center – and serves as the home rink for Franklin Pierce University’s hockey programs.

13. Student Centers and Lounges

At Winchendon – we believe that having fun and relaxing are also important skills and habits.  It’s one of the reasons that we are in the process of upgrading “hangout” spaces across campus – places where you can just catch your breath and hang out with friends.

The newly renovated Glass Family Student Center, a new fire pit and grill area, the revitalized Posich music center, the Ford Commons and other areas spread across campus and in the dorms are there to provide a place to just chill.  Taking a study hall break to grab a snack, read quietly during the evening, or engage in a lively game of foosball or League of Legends – it’s all important.  Next on our list in new student facilities? A digital gaming and design center coming later this year.

15. Our Community – Mt. Monadnock, Town of Winchendon, Mt. Wachusett, Boston, New York

McDonalds, Dunkin, CVS, convenience stores, and numerous coffee shops and restaurants are all within a short walk, bike ride, or scooter/skateboard from campus. 

As importantly, our community is an extension of our campus.   The CAC (Community Action Center), the elementary and middle schools,  Senior Center, the Clark YMCA, Town Hall, and many other organizations each serve as “community classrooms” – places where some of the most interesting and important learning take place.   Helping solve a real problem for a local group is just as educational as any lesson or lab.

And beyond Winchendon, your most memorable learning  experience may be a Model UN Conference at Harvard, an internship at one of the best hospitals in the world, an independent project in a robotics lab or at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts – or any one of thousands of other nearby opportunities.   What would your dream experience be?   These things happen at Winchendon.