As the school year begins at Bishop Stang High School, President and Principal Peter Shaughnessy is looking forward to new science labs, more STEM education, and increasing diversity.

Incoming freshmen started school on August 29 – a day before upperclassmen – for an orientation program. Students learned their schedules, had help finding their lockers, and attended an assembly that highlighted this year’s school theme, “Care for God’s Creation,” devoted to boosting diversity.

"We want the to school to be a more inclusive and welcoming environment," Shaughnessy said. "We want to welcome families of all different religious and economic backgrounds."

Bishop Stang will also focus on becoming more eco-friendly this year. Over the summer, staff installed LED lighting and upgraded the heating system. Shaughnessy plans to incorporate environmental issues into students’ service activities too.

A big focus this year is the school’s renovated science labs – funded with a $25,000 grant from Bristol County Savings Bank – to improve science, technology, engineering, and math education. The grant from the bank’s Charitable Foundation allowed the school to buy new equipment and technology for chemistry, biology, and physics labs.

"The new lab renovations are almost complete," Shaughnessy said. "They will be fully completed within the next one to two weeks."

The faculty at Bishop Stang is excited for the entire student body to be able to use the newly renovated labs to help further their education as the school focuses on college prep.

"We have more students taking science classes than any other subject," Shaughnessy said. "Juniors and seniors take them as electives because they like the challenge and are interested in those type of careers."

The family atmosphere will continue, and Shaughnessy hopes to it will make students feel comfortable in the school environment.

"We want our students to feel welcome and at home every day," Shaughnessy said.