Dukes County is a county located in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is comprised of the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, as well as a number of smaller islands. The geographic area of the county is approximately 1,068 square miles, making it the smallest county in Massachusetts by area. The total population of Dukes County was 16,507 as of 2019.
According to gradinmath, the county seat for Dukes County is Edgartown, located on Martha’s Vineyard. Edgartown has an estimated population of 4,535 and serves as the main commercial and administrative center for both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island. It was founded in 1642 by Thomas Mayhew Jr., son of Thomas Mayhew Sr., who had originally purchased the island from Wampanoag Chief Massasoit in 1641. Edgartown was named after Mayhew’s father-in-law, Edgar Howes, who provided financial assistance to establish the settlement on Martha’s Vineyard.
Martha’s Vineyard itself has an estimated population of 17,500 spread across seven towns: Aquinnah (formerly Gay Head), Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs (formerly Cottage City), Tisbury (formerly known as Tisbury Great Pond), West Tisbury (originally known as Chilmark Great Pond), and West Tisbury (originally known as Menemsha). Nantucket Island has an estimated population of 10,172 spread between four towns: Siasconset (known locally as ‘Sconset), Nantucket Town (also referred to simply as Town or Town Hill), Madaket and Surfside Beach.
In addition to its two major islands, Dukes County also includes several smaller islands such as Cuttyhunk Island off the coast of Massachusetts near Buzzards Bay; Nashawena Island at the western end of Buzzards Bay; Pasque Island off the coast near Woods Hole; Penikese Island at the southeast corner near Cuttyhunk; Nomans Land which lies southwest off Martha’s Vineyard; Uncatena Island which lies east off Nomans Land; and Muskeget Island northwest off Nantucket Town which serves primarily as a wildlife refuge managed by The Trustees Of Reservations organization since 1969.
School districts in Dukes County, Massachusetts
The school districts in Dukes County, Massachusetts are comprised of seven public schools, one charter school, and two private schools. The public schools are run by the Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools District (MVPSD) which consists of five elementary schools: Edgartown Elementary, Chilmark Elementary, Tisbury Elementary, West Tisbury Elementary, and Oak Bluffs Elementary. There is also one combined middle/high school: Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS). The charter school is the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School (MVPCCS), which provides an alternative to traditional public schooling for students in grades K-8. Finally, there are two private schools: St. Augustine’s Catholic School in Oak Bluffs and the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew School in West Tisbury.
The mission of MVPSD is to ensure that all students receive a quality education that will enable them to develop their full potential as responsible citizens and lifelong learners. To accomplish this goal, the district provides a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on college and career readiness. It also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, music programs, drama clubs, student clubs and organizations, after-school programs, and community service opportunities. In addition to these educational opportunities within the district itself, students can also take advantage of various courses offered through online learning platforms such as Edgenuity or Apex Learning.
In terms of academic performance among its students, MVPSD has consistently performed well on state standardized tests such as MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System). In 2018-2019 for example the district’s composite score was 83% proficient or higher for both English/Language Arts and Mathematics at grade 8 level; 81% proficient or higher for English/Language Arts at grade 10 level; and 80% proficient or higher for Mathematics at grade 10 level.
In addition to providing quality education through its own facilities and resources MVPSD also works closely with other educational institutions on the island including the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School (MVPCCS), St Augustine’s Catholic School (SA), Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew School (MVHS), Island Home Center for Learning (IHCL) and other local organizations such as Island Grown Initiative (IGI). Through these partnerships, MVPSD aims to provide even more educational opportunities to its students while at the same time strengthening ties between different parts of the Dukes County community.
Major schools in Dukes County, Massachusetts
Dukes County, Massachusetts is home to a variety of educational institutions that offer quality education to its residents. The Martha’s Vineyard Public School District (MVPSD) is the largest school district in the county and serves approximately 3,200 students in grades K-12. It operates four public elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and two alternative education programs. The district also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, music programs, drama clubs, student clubs and organizations, after-school programs and community service opportunities.
The second largest school district in Dukes County is the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School (MVPCCS). It was established in 1995 and currently serves around 860 students in grades K-8. Its mission is to provide an innovative educational program that encourages each student to reach their full potential while also emphasizing community involvement. MVPCCS offers a wide range of courses such as math, science, social studies, language arts and foreign language as well as art, music and physical education classes. It also provides various extracurricular activities including athletics teams for both boys and girls.
The Island Home Center for Learning (IHCL) is another educational institution located on Martha’s Vineyard that provides quality instruction to students from preschool through eighth grade. IHCL follows a progressive curriculum with an emphasis on experiential learning through projects that allow students to explore their interests while developing critical thinking skills. In addition to its regular academic program IHCL also offers extracurricular activities such as music lessons and theatre productions for all grade levels.
St Augustine’s Catholic School (SA) is a private religious institution located in Oak Bluffs that serves around 300 students from preschool through eighth grade. SA focuses on providing quality Catholic education while emphasizing values such as respect for self and others, responsibility for one’s actions and commitment to service of others within the community. The curriculum includes core academic courses such as math, science and social studies as well as religious studies classes focusing on the teachings of Jesus Christ. SA also provides various extracurricular activities such as visual arts classes, music lessons and sports teams for different age groups.
Finally, there is the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew School (MVHS), which serves approximately 200 Jewish students from preschool through eighth grade with an emphasis on Jewish culture and tradition within an inclusive environment where all are welcomed regardless of background or faith tradition. MVHS provides a comprehensive curriculum focusing on core academic subjects along with Hebrew language instruction at all levels starting from kindergarten onwards. In addition to this core program, MVHS also offers various extra-curricular activities ranging from art classes to sports teams for different age groups throughout the year.
Notable people of Dukes County, Massachusetts
According to businesscarriers, Dukes County, Massachusetts is home to a variety of notable people from all walks of life. The county is best known for its many celebrities and public figures, including actors, musicians, politicians, athletes, and entrepreneurs. Some of the most recognizable names include Academy Award-winning actor Mark Wahlberg, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Carly Simon, former United States Senator and Secretary of State John Kerry, basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell, and billionaire business mogul Ted Turner.
Mark Wahlberg hails from Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood in Dukes County. He began his career as a rapper in the early 1990s before transitioning into acting with roles in films such as Boogie Nights (1997), The Perfect Storm (2000), Planet of the Apes (2001), and The Departed (2006). His performance in The Fighter earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2011. In addition to his acting work he is also an entrepreneur having launched several businesses including a burger chain called Wahlburgers.
Carly Simon was born on Martha’s Vineyard in Dukes County. She is best known for her hit single “You’re So Vain” which became one of the most successful singles of all time selling over one million copies worldwide. She has won two Grammy Awards throughout her career including Album Of The Year for No Secrets (1972) and Best Pop Vocal Performance Female for “Let The River Run” from Working Girl (1988). Her success has made her one of the most influential female singer/songwriters of all time.
John Kerry represented Massachusetts’ 5th congressional district which includes Dukes County from 1985 until 2013 when he was appointed Secretary Of State by President Obama. During his tenure as Senator he fought for environmental protection legislation such as the Clean Air Act Amendments Of 1990 and championed veterans’ rights initiatives including the Post 9/11 GI Bill Of 2008 which provided educational benefits to servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bill Russell was born on Martha’s Vineyard in Dukes County where he attended high school before going on to play college basketball at nearby University Of San Francisco where he led them to two consecutive NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956 before being drafted by the Boston Celtics with whom he would go on to win 11 NBA championships over 13 seasons making him one of the greatest basketball players ever to play the game.
Ted Turner is an American media mogul who founded CNN as well as other cable networks such as TBS Superstation and TNT Network which have become staples within popular culture today. In addition to his successful career in television broadcasting, Turner has also been involved with numerous philanthropic efforts such as donating $1 billion towards United Nations causes throughout his lifetime making him one of America’s most generous individuals ever recorded by Forbes Magazine.