The Norwood High School guidance department released a significant report on July 10, 1969, detailing the educational future of the school’s 419 graduates.
The data revealed that approximately 45 percent of the class planned to attend four-year colleges that fall, a figure the department noted was likely the highest percentage of four-year institution acceptances in the school’s history.
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The Class of ’69 demonstrated a strong commitment to further education, with nearly four out of five graduates pursuing some form of post-secondary schooling. Beyond the 45 percent heading to four-year colleges, 63 graduates planned to attend one-year vocational or secretarial institutions, and 38 intended to go to junior colleges, many with the goal of eventually transferring to four-year schools. Additionally, 13 graduates planned to attend nursing schools. Of the remaining graduates, 16 entered the military and 69 entered the workforce. To provide historical context, the report noted that in 1967, 35 percent of the senior class had enrolled in four-year schools, while the figure for 1968 was 38 percent.
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Local institutions were heavily represented among the college-bound students. The University of Massachusetts, at both its Amherst and Boston campuses, as well as the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, were slated to enroll 18 graduates. Various state colleges in Framingham, Lowell, and Bridgewater expected to enroll 39 graduates. Furthermore, approximately 23 students planned to attend Northeastern University, and 26 were set to attend the Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton.
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In other town news reported that day, the Charter Commission, chaired by Daniel Callahan Jr., began its work to review the town charter and recommend potential changes to the town government’s structure. The commission, which had been granted $500 at the June special town meeting for administrative expenses, included members Mrs. Mary Hemman, James Holly, Edward P. Bamber, and George Usevich.
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Meanwhile, the town’s Recreation Department was in the second full week of its summer program, which served children at 14 playgrounds across Norwood. The playgrounds were open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. In addition to playground activities, the department offered tennis instruction starting at the Civic courts on Washington Street and daily swimming classes at the town’s two pools. To manage these extensive summer offerings, the recreation department maintained a staff of 30 persons at the playgrounds and 16 at the swimming pools.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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