About Us

Mission Statement

Mark T. Sheehan High School provides a challenging and supportive environment that inspires students to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible, contributing members of a global dynamic society.

We Value Titan PRIDE: Personal Responsibility ❖ Respect ❖ Integrity ❖ Dedication ❖ Engagement

We believe that:

• Student learning is at the center of every decision considered by the WPS.

• Student learning is a shared responsibility among the school system, families, and the community.

• In order to take their place in society, learners need to master both academic and social skills through the instruction and curriculum they receive.

• Knowing how individuals learn—developmentally, socially, and culturally—drives instruction and curriculum.Learning is nurtured in safe, healthy, environmentally sensitive facilities.

• Financial accountability and transparency are essential in utilizing the educational resources entrusted to WPS by the community.

Academic Expectations

Mark T. Sheehan High School students will demonstrate 21st century expectations for learning by becoming:

• Clear and Effective Communicator - Students use a variety of modes of expression (spoken, written, visual, and performing arts including the use of technology to create and share the expressions) tailored to a specific audience to clearly articulate and share information.

• Creative and Resourceful Problem Solver - Students define problems, utilize a range of practical and creative strategies to generate solutions, and evaluate and refine the solution for implementation.

• Critical Thinker and Researcher - Students analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple sources and experiences to build upon knowledge, justify reasoning, and transfer knowledge to new situations.

 

Social and Civic Expectations

Mark T. Sheehan High School students will develop personal responsibility through dedicated engagement to becoming:

• Responsible and Involved Citizen - Students participate positively in the community, respect diversity, demonstrate academic and personal integrity, practice appropriate digital citizenship, and accept responsibility for personal decisions and actions.

• Independent and Self-Directed Learner - Students demonstrate initiative and responsibility for learning by setting goals, making informed decisions, and exhibiting flexibility, persistence, and independence.

 

NEASC Accreditation

Mark T. Sheehan High School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Accreditation is an ongoing process which requires schools to meet the Standards for Accreditation that reflect best practices for teaching and learning and to demonstrate school improvement monitored through peer review. The accreditation program involves a threefold process: a self-study conducted by the school’s staff, an on-site evaluation conducted by a NEASC visiting committee, and a follow-up program carried out by the school to implement the findings of the self-study and valid recommendations of the visiting committee.

This accreditation assures that tax money is supporting a school facility and programs that have been judged worthwhile by an outside team of evaluators, both in terms of the school’s stated mission and expectations and in terms of the school’s adherence to the Association’s Standards for Accreditation. The Standards address curriculum, instruction, assessment, school culture, school resources, and community resources.

Students are most affected by accreditation since they are the central focus of the educational process. Accreditation assures them that their needs are being met through a quality educational program, that a vehicle exists to correct deficiencies that may be present in the school program, that their transfer credits will more likely be accepted should their family move, and that college representatives have the assurance of the quality of their preparation.

Continued accreditation is dependent upon a school demonstrating ongoing, reflective progress to improve teaching and learning and the support of teaching and learning.

School History & Information

Named to honor a well-loved local physician, Mark T. Sheehan High School was built on its 44.5 acre campus on Wallingford's west side in 1971. A grade 9 through 12 building, most students enter Sheehan from Moran Middle School. The school has over 50 classrooms and and other collaborative spaces. Art, family life and consumer science, science, and technology education each have specialized rooms and/or labs. Music has instruction and practice areas. Indoor facilities also include an auditorium, a drama lecture room, a gymnasium, a library media center, a planetarium and a natatorium. Outdoors is the John Riccitelli Field for football, track, soccer, and lacrosse, the Robert Neubauer Field for baseball, 4 tennis courts, a softball field, a field hockey field, and other practice facilities.

Mark T. Sheehan High School functions on a block schedule with alternating A & B day schedule. Four periods meet per day for a total of eight periods in a two day rotation. Sheehan has an advisory period and an office 30 schedule (for students to receive independent academic support) on a rotating weekly basis. During a regular bell schedule, the periods are 84 minutes long. Courses are offered on the general, academic, honors, and advanced placement levels. World language offerings include Spanish, French, Italian, and German. Sheehan High School offers a variety of varsity sports for our student athletes. Sheehan is part of the Southern Connecticut Conference. There are also many student activities and clubs available to our students.

Enrollment: 733 students

Staff: Approximately 100 certified & non-certified staff members

Administration

Enzo Zocco, Principal

Gregory Dirkson, Assistant Principal (students with last names L-Z) 

Justin Marciano, Assistant Principal (students with last names A-K)