Hawkins High School

Lore & Background

Hawkins High School is the educational institution that Max attends after moving to Hawkins in 1984. She joins the same class as Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, and Dustin Henderson at Hawkins Middle School initially, but the high school becomes the setting for later seasons. The school hosts the Snow Ball in season 2, where Max agrees to dance with Lucas and they share their first kiss. By season 4, Max has withdrawn from her friends, breaking up with Lucas and resisting his attempts to reach out. The school counselor is mentioned as someone Max begins seeing after Billy's death. The school is also where Max sees Eddie Munson and Chrissy Cunningham enter a trailer, leading to the discovery of Chrissy's death and the group's investigation into Vecna's attacks on teenagers in Hawkins.

In Their Own Story

In March 1986, Max's life is in disarray following Billy's death. She has withdrawn from her friends, broken up with Lucas, and begun seeing the school counselor. The school becomes a backdrop for the group's investigation into Vecna, who has been stalking and killing teenagers in Hawkins. Max realizes she is likely Vecna's next victim when she begins having traumatic visions. The group later deduces that Vecna chooses his victims based on their emotional scars, and Lucas apologizes to Max for not supporting her more as she grieved for Billy. Max also apologizes for closing herself off, and Lucas pledges to remain by her side. Max offers to act as bait to lure Vecna to the Creel House, making herself emotionally vulnerable by admitting she had wished Billy would die and felt guilt and shame when he was killed. After Vecna attacks her, Eleven manages to stop him from killing Max, but she is left blinded and loses physical sensations, dying in Lucas's arms before Eleven revives her into a coma.

Reader's Guide

Hawkins High School is a central location for the teenage characters in *Stranger Things*, particularly for Max and her friends. It is where they navigate social hierarchies, relationships, and the supernatural threats that plague Hawkins. The school hosts the Snow Ball in season 2, a key event where Max and Lucas share their first kiss. In season 4, the school is referenced as the place where Max sees Eddie Munson and Chrissy Cunningham, leading to the group's investigation into Vecna. The school counselor is mentioned as someone Max sees after Billy's death. The school grounds are also where the group deduces Vecna's method of choosing victims based on emotional scars. Max's experiences at the school reflect her emotional struggles, including her grief over Billy's death and her strained relationships with her friends. The school serves as a backdrop for the group's efforts to stop Vecna and save Hawkins from the Upside Down.

Did You Know?

• Max attends the Snow Ball at Hawkins Middle School in season 2, where she agrees to dance with Lucas and they share their first kiss.
• In season 4, Max sees Eddie Munson and a local cheerleader, Chrissy Cunningham, enter a trailer near the school, leading to the discovery of Chrissy's death.
• Max begins seeing the school counselor in season 4 after Billy's death and her withdrawal from her friends.
• The group deduces that Vecna chooses his victims based on their emotional scars while at the school.
• Max offers to act as bait to lure Vecna to the Creel House, making herself emotionally vulnerable by admitting she had wished Billy would die.