The Oyster River Cooperative School District

The Oyster River School District, established in 1954, one of the oldest cooperative districts in the state, services the communities of Durham, Lee and Madbury. Its proximity to Boston, the Atlantic shoreline, the Lakes Region and white mountains provide access to an array of cultural and educational resources. From its small beginning serving 661 students in one facility, the district has grown to nearly 2400 students educated in four schools. While the district is made up of three separate towns, it is a single political unit that operates under the rules of RSA 40:13. This means that the District votes by official ballot rather than the traditional "town meeting" form of government. All of the registered voters in the three communities make up the legislative body that elects a seven-member school board to govern the district. Oyster River has a long history of providing excellent educational opportunities for its students. It was recently recognized by "Offspring" magazine as one of the 100 top school districts in the United States. The Oyster River community is commited to and supportive of quality education. This commitment and support has helped the district recruit and maintain an excellent teaching staff and outstanding administrative leadership team. The Challenge to Excel - The ORSD Philosophy: "Individualized instruction will be expected to meet the academic, emotional, physical, and social needs of each student. Its implementation in the classroom will help to provide for the uniqueness of each student, his/her particular learning style, talents, and potential. . . " Elementary Schools Grades kindergarten through 4 Mast Way - Lee David Michaud, Principal: 659-3001 Moharimet - Madbury Dennis Harrington, Principal: 742-2900 Oyster River is served by two elementary schools housing children in kindergarten through grade 4. To enroll in kindergarten children must have attained the age of five (5) by September 30. The two schools are located in the towns of Lee and Madbury. Student are generally assigned to the school in proximity to residence: however, exceptions are made to balance school enrollment. Oyster River Middle School Grade 5 through 8 - Durham Marcia Ross, Principal: 868-2820 The Middle School is a dynamic learning environment specializing in challenging and meeting the needs of young adolescenets (ages 10-14). At the heart of the school is a 20,000 volume media center. Students and teachers can readily access technology in a totally networked facility with both laboratory and classroom computer availability. Oyster River High School Grades 9 through 12 - Durham Donald Lafferty, Principal: 868-2375 Oyster River High School is home to approximately 750 students in grades 9 through 12. Having enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence since its beginnings in the 1960's, it attracts and keeps an exceptionally strong faculty that assume leadership roles in state and regional professional groups. A distinct advantage is our close, collegial relationship to teaching and research staff at the University of New Hampshire. For More Information on the Oyster River Cooperative Schools Visit http://www.orcsd.org/ Email collette@sau.orsd.org Call (603) 868-5100 ext. 20 Write SAU #5, 36 Coe Drive, Durham, NH 03824

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