At Uxbridge High School in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, opportunity begins with a belief in what's possible for every student. For the past 12 years, Principal Dr. Michael Rubin and his staff have cultivated a culture that encourages students to grow, explore their interests, and prepare for life beyond graduation. Today, Uxbridge High School serves approximately 600 students in grades 8 through 12 and is recognized as an Innovation Pathway School, offering multiple career-focused programs that connect academics, industry experiences, and real-world learning opportunities.

But if you ask Dr. Rubin what he is most proud of, his answer has little to do with awards, programs, or designations. Instead, it centers on the people who create the culture that students experience every day.

"I think if there were one thing I would be most proud of, it's the culture here," he said.

Uxbridge High School has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Enrollment has grown, the school successfully integrated eighth grade into its building, and one of the school's most telling measures of success has changed dramatically. When Dr. Rubin first arrived, approximately 50 to 60 students each year were leaving the district between eighth and ninth grade to attend technical, private, or neighboring schools. Last year, that number dropped to just 12. To him, that shift is about far more than numbers.

"It means kids want to stay," he explained. "They're realizing that we're a place where they can thrive and they don't necessarily have to look elsewhere."

That culture is rooted in a leadership philosophy that places people first.

"I'm unapologetically very staff-centered so that they can be very student-centered," he shared.

By investing in and supporting his staff, Dr. Rubin believes they are better positioned to create the kind of learning environment where students feel connected, challenged, and valued.

The result is a school culture built on a simple philosophy: give students a reason to be there.

"If you want to keep kids in class, you give them a reason to be there and they won't want to leave," he said.

Building a culture where students thrive begins with building connections. For years, Dr. Rubin has worked to keep families and community members informed, engaged, and invested in the success of the school. Every Friday since arriving at Uxbridge High School, he has shared a detailed school newsletter, creating a consistent and reliable connection between the school and the community it serves.

That commitment to communication became especially valuable when it came to raising awareness of the Hannaford Helps Schools program. After 12 years of "painstakingly" creating weekly newsletters and updates, Dr. Rubin already had trusted communication channels in place. Rather than relying on individual teachers to share information, he used those established channels to ensure families received clear and consistent messages about the program. Through those newsletters, social media, and other outreach efforts, he shared reminders and resources throughout the program period, helping keep awareness high while the program window was open.

The school's consistent communication efforts paid off. Combined with enhancements Hannaford made to the program, Uxbridge High School's earnings grew from $882 in 2025 to $1,713 in 2026, nearly doubling the funds available to support students and school initiatives.

While many funding streams focus on large projects or major purchases, Hannaford Helps Schools funds help Uxbridge High School do something equally important: say "yes" when opportunities or needs arise. Directed to a student activity account, the funds provide the flexibility to support students in ways that might otherwise not be possible.

Sometimes that means helping a student participate in an event that may have been financially out of reach. Other times it means covering an unexpected expense for a family facing difficult circumstances, recognizing student accomplishments, or celebrating achievements that deserve acknowledgment. Dr. Rubin shared examples ranging from helping students participate in school activities to creating recognition opportunities for student leaders and championship-caliber programs.

One such example involved recognizing the school's student council, which has earned state gold-level recognition year after year. Funds from the student activity account helped make it possible to celebrate those achievements in the same way athletic accomplishments are often recognized.

The funds also quietly meet needs that may never become public but can make a meaningful difference in a young person's life. For Dr. Rubin, that flexibility is one of the program's greatest strengths. As he explained, something always comes up, and when it does, having resources available can make all the difference.

For Uxbridge High School, the Hannaford Helps Schools program reflects the many ways businesses, schools, families, and community members work together to support students, often without seeking recognition.

Dr. Rubin believes the value of the program extends beyond its financial support. "There are subtle ways that businesses are helping schools that aren't necessarily blasted across the headlines that matter to kids, and that's important."

He believes the program succeeds because it is rooted in something simple: people helping others because it's the right thing to do.

"We're constantly looking for the headline or the recognition," he reflected. "This is just one of those things that organically happens, and it ends up benefiting everybody."

As Uxbridge High School looks to the future, Dr. Rubin remains deeply grateful for the support provided through Hannaford Helps Schools. The program requires little administrative effort, yet provides resources that can have a lasting impact on students and school culture. Most importantly, it provides something every educator values: the ability to say “yes.”

"Something comes up every year," he said. "Something comes up involving kids or a family, the needs of your school, or a good idea."

"When the operating budget may be saying no," Dr. Rubin said, "these funds help us get to yes."

In the end, that may be the greatest impact of all. Not the dollars raised, but the doors opened. Through the collective support of Hannaford shoppers and community members, small acts of generosity become opportunities for students, support for families, and moments of recognition that strengthen an entire school community. At Uxbridge High School, those moments help turn "no" into "yes" and serve as a reminder of what can happen when people come together, not for recognition or headlines, but simply because it is the right thing to do.

Published September 21, 2026