Manchester Essex Regional Middle/High School

Manchester Essex Regional High School is the public high school for the towns of Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts with an approximate enrollment of 490 students and a total of 65 faculty members. The mission of Manchester Essex Regional High School is "to provide a rigorous, well-rounded educational program in a learning environment that encourages individual growth and prepares all students for the diverse challenges of their futures."Based on the Class of 2012, 85.1% of graduates planned to attend a four-year college or university, 5.3% planned to attend a two-year school, and 9.6% of graduates indicated an immediate career plan. The average SAT score for the Class of 2012 was 584 in math, 569 for critical reading, and 562 for writing.CommunitiesManchester Essex Regional Middle High School, situated in the heart of Manchester-By-the-Sea, Massachusetts, primarily serves the communities of Manchester and Essex. Located on Cape Ann in Essex County, Manchester is bordered by the city of Beverly to the southwest, the towns of Hamilton and Wenham to the northwest, the town of Essex to the north, the city of Gloucester to the northeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the South. With easy access to both the major highway, Route 128, and the old shore road, Route 127, the town is a 35-45 minute drive to Boston, just 25 miles to the south.Manchester, incorporated in 1645, encompasses approximately 9.3 square miles of land, while Essex, incorporated in 1819, covers approximately 14.2 square miles of land. Both retain their original identities as small, quiet seaside towns. Historically, Manchester, with its beautiful harbor and beaches, became the summer residence of many wealthy Boston families. It has been known for its fishing, lobstering, and yachting communities, as well as the melodious sands of Singing Beach. The defining geographical feature of Essex is the Essex River, which gave rise to the two industries for which it is best known: shipbuilding and clamming. The Town is the oldest continuously operating shipbuilding area in the country and is home to the original fried clam. Its many seafood restaurants, including the famous "Woodman’s," as well as the Essex Shipbuilding Museum and a myriad of antiques shops make Essex a prime tourist destination on Cape Ann. The local economies have remained relatively stable over the years, with limited residential growth and limited commercial attrition. As all of the businesses in both towns are relatively small, owner-operated concerns, there are no major employers in the district.