Winnacunnet High School is an American public high school in Hampton, New Hampshire. It serves students in grades 9 through 12 who live in Hampton, Seabrook, North Hampton, South Hampton, and Hampton Falls. Students from South Hampton attend either Amesbury High School or Winnacunnet High School. Winnacunnet is a Native American word that means "beautiful place of the pines". William McGowan has been the principal since 2010.
History On October 30, 1957, the groundbreaking began for the construction of the school. Winnacunnet High School opened for the first time in the fall of 1958 with an attendance of 474 students. Before 1958, area students attended the Hampton Academy and High School, a junior-senior high school that still exists today as the junior high school for Hampton.History of Hampton Academy and High School, Lane Memorial Library The official Winnacunnet High dedication ceremony took place on October 26, 1958. The school has undergone construction and renovations in recent years, including a renovated cafeteria and stand alone gymnasium.
The school was in the national news in 1990 when Pamela Smart conspired with 15-year-old sophomore student William "Billy" Flynn and, according to him, convinced him to murder her husband Greg Smart on May 1, 1990."Sex, Lies and Murder: The Pamela Smart Case" , by Jan Bouchard-Kerr, CourtTV Crime Library Smart did not work at Winnacunnet High School but at the SAU 21 building across the street, located on Winnacunnet school grounds. Smart was convicted of first-degree murder in March 1991, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She is currently serving her sentence in a maximum security prison in New York State.
On February 6th, 2026, around 50+ students at around 11:40 marched down the streets to support Abolish ICE movements.
Notable Visits Winnacunnet has served as a popular location for presidential candidates to hold speeches and rallies at. All were candidates while hosting, only 2 became presidents afterwards.
George W. Bush, held a speech directly with students during his first presidential run, (Sept 7th, 2000). John Kerry, held a speech with Jeanne Shaheen and Michael J. Foxfor community members and students during his presidential run, (Oct 4th, 2004). Donald Trump, held a speech at Winnacunnet High School. (Aug 14th, 2015)
Notable alumni Nicholas Bridle, New Hampshire State Representative Renny Cushing New Hampshire state representativeVotesmart.org.-Robert Reynolds "Renny" Cushing Amy Geller, film documentarian Maura Healey, governor of Massachusetts since 2023 Steve Merrill, governor of New Hampshire 1992-1994 Charles Rocket, comedian
See also
List of high schools in New Hampshire
References
External links Winnacunnet High School website