Merrimack Valley is a four-year high school located in Penacook

Penacook, New Hampshire

Penacook, originally called "Fisherville", is a village within the city of Concord in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, USA. It lies along Concord's northern border with Boscawen. The name comes from the Pennacook tribe that lived in the area...

, a village in the northern part of Concord, New Hampshire

Concord, New Hampshire

The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....

. The school has approximately 900 students and serves the communities of Andover

Andover, New Hampshire

Andover is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,371 at the 2010 census. Andover includes the villages of Cilleyville, Potter Place, and East Andover, in addition to the town center...

, Boscawen

Boscawen, New Hampshire

Boscawen is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,965 at the 2010 census.-History:The native Pennacook tribe called the area Contoocook, meaning "place of the river near pines." On June 6, 1733, Governor Jonathan Belcher granted it to John Coffin and 90...

, Loudon

Loudon, New Hampshire

Loudon is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,317 at the 2010 census. Loudon is the home of New Hampshire Motor Speedway....

, Penacook

Penacook, New Hampshire

Penacook, originally called "Fisherville", is a village within the city of Concord in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, USA. It lies along Concord's northern border with Boscawen. The name comes from the Pennacook tribe that lived in the area...

, Salisbury

Salisbury, New Hampshire

Salisbury is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, USA. The population was 1,382 at the 2010 census.-History:While still part of Massachusetts, the town was granted as Baker's Town after Captain Thomas Baker in 1736. After New Hampshire became a separate colony, the town was re-granted by the...

, and Webster

Webster, New Hampshire

Webster is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,872 at the 2010 census.- History :A part of Boscawen until 1860, the town takes its name from American statesman Daniel Webster.- Geography :...

. Two years of construction and remodeling were completed in 2007, and the school now has a completely new facility.

The school was initially accredited by the New England Association of School and Colleges (NEASC) in 1967. The faculty, staff, students, and community began self-study for reaccreditation in 2009; the next visiting team will come in 2011. In 2003, the school was recognized by the New Hampshire Excellence in Education award (EDies) for being the best high school in the state of New Hampshire.

Advanced Placement courses

There are three Advanced Placement courses currently available at Merrimack Valley:

• AP Calculus AB
• AP English Literature and Composition
  AP English Literature and Composition
  Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program.-The Course:This course is designated for motivated students with a command of standard English, an...
  
  
• AP United States History
  AP United States History
  Advanced Placement United States History is a course and examination offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program...
  
  

In addition, the school offers several Project Running Start courses through New Hampshire Technical Institute

New Hampshire Technical Institute

NHTI, Concord's Community College is a two-year residential community college located in Concord, New Hampshire. The college is part of the Community College System of New Hampshire and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges...

 in Concord

Concord, New Hampshire

The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....

. These courses are taught by teachers credentialed by NHTI and follow the curriculum of courses that are offered on the college campus. Students earn dual credit (both high school and college credit).

Grading

GPAs are based on a 6.0 scale with weighted and unweighted grading.

Instead of the traditional ten-point grading system, the school uses a 7 point system (that is, an A corresponds to a 93 or above rather than a 90 or above).

Notable alumni

Bob Tewksbury

Bob Tewksbury

Robert Alan Tewksbury is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Tewksbury's talent was initially discovered by Andy Michael in Concord. Michael contacted the New York Yankees and Tewksbury was drafted by them out of Saint Leo University in the 19th round of the 1981 draft...

 (class of 1978) - former pitcher for several Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...

 teams, most notably the St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...