Campus Life
Active. Energetic. Friendly. Passionate about animals, plants, and the environment. Collaborative and hands on learner. That’s you. That’s Essex Aggie. That’s why you belong here. You’ll find a challenging, experiential, and relevant educational experience unlike any other high school you have seen.
Our 166 acre campus is brimming with activity and life. Places to learn. Places to work. Places to have fun. With over 35 buildings on campus, there are specialty areas of learning for every student interest and passion. You won’t spend your entire school day behind a desk – you’ll experience animal, environmental, and plant science in ways you never imagined possible in a high school setting.
Join clubs and activities that range from: FFA, Aggie Awareness, art, cameras, computers, drama, literary magazine, National Technical Honor Society, the newspaper, outdoor leadership, peer leaders, students for environmental action, and Ultimate Frisbee. Or start your own!
Participate in one of Essex Aggie’s interscholastic teams – go Rams (and Bulldogs)! – compete in baseball, basketball, cheering, cross-country, football, ice hockey, indoor track, lacrosse, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
While bus transportation is provided by our school for those students who reside within a 20 mile radius of Essex Aggie, students who have their licenses are permitted to drive to school and park in the assigned student lot. There is no fee for student parking, but all student cars must be registered with the high school.
Your school day will begin at 7:45 and end at 2:45. The school cafeteria opens for breakfast at 7:00 where one dollar buys a breakfast to start your school day. The library/media center opens at 7:00, so if you need to complete any last minute homework, conduct research for a class, or just check your email, this is the place to get it all done! If you have the need for a little morning activity or your free throw shooting needs some work, the gymnasium also opens at 7:00.
Lunchtime varies depending on the day. Students in agricultural programs have lunch from11:06 – 11:36; students in academics have lunch from 11:53 – 12:23. Lunch at the Aggie doesn’t mean you’re confined to the cafeteria. Students can eat lunch outside by the Ram’s Inn, by the memorial garden at the back of Gallant Hall, or at the latest patio area created by our Ornamental Horticulture students in front of the McNamara-O’Shea Science building. In addition to these choices, the gym is open as is the library/media center.
At the end of the day, the library/media center is open until 5:00 - a great place to finish homework, get a jump on a long term assignment, or do some web research! Twice a week the homework club meets. Staffed by two faculty members, the homework club provides a structured setting for students to complete homework or receive assistance in completing homework or projects.
Students who stay after school to participate in athletics or clubs and those students who opt to utilize the library media center have late bus transportation available to them at no cost to the student or student’s family. Late busses do not make the same drop offs that the regular bus routes do; instead a few central locations in each city and town are established as drop off points. Students walk home from those points or parents meet and drive students home from those points.
Of course, there’s more than just school work, sports, and clubs at the Aggie. Like any other high school, we know an important part of your high school experience and personal growth is rooted in social activities. Dances, pizza/karaoke parties, roller skating, movie nights, skiing/snowboarding trips, day hikes, and trips are just some of the opportunities to get to know your fellow students here at the Aggie!