Add as a preferred source on Google

Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

  • By Matt Jones
  • 01/13/26

Key Takeaways

  • Swansea Public Schools has selected Finegold Alexander Architects, through the MSBA process, to lead the feasibility study and schematic design for a new Joseph Case Junior High School serving grades 6–8.
  • Construction of the new junior high, planned to be located next to the existing high school, is scheduled to begin in 2028 and be completed by 2030, with community input shaping the design.
  • The proposed design emphasizes learning neighborhoods, outdoor and naturally lit spaces, and dedicated special education areas to support student engagement and long-term success.

Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

The school will serve students in grades 6–8. Construction is scheduled to start in 2028 and end in 2030, the news release reports.

Finegold Alexander’s project team recently finished the Preferred Schematic Report, which places the new school next to the district’s existing high school. The firm is partnering closely with the local community during the design process to create a facility that meets its specific needs.

“Finegold Alexander Architects is proud to partner with Swansea Public Schools on this essential Joseph Case Junior High School project for the whole community,” said Finegold Alexander’s Regan Shields Ives, Principal and K-12 studio leader. “Our mission aligns seamlessly with the school’s commitment to provide an environment for students to engage, think, and succeed in both their local and global communities.”

Design features are set to include learning neighborhoods, access to outdoor learning, special education areas, and a focus on naturally-lit learning spaces.

“This new school is more than a building, it’s an investment in the future of every child who walks through its doors,” said Scott C. Holcomb, Swansea Superintendent of Schools. “Finegold Alexander’s vision will help us create a place where students can learn, grow, and imagine what’s possible.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • UCNJ Launches $30M Modernization of Physical Education Center

    The Union College of Union County (UCNJ) in Cranford, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $30-million modernization project for its Physical Education Center (PECK), according to a news release. The college partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the project’s design, transitioning the existing 42,000-square-foot structure into a campus hub for student athletics and campus life.

  • Little Grand Market

    Designing for Belonging: Why Student Wellness Starts with Space

    From walkable site planning to flexible interiors, intentional design choices play a critical role in how students experience comfort, connection, and community.

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).

  • South Texas K–12 District Debuts Region’s First Electric Bus Fleet

    The Valley View Independent School District in Pharr, Texas, recently announced a partnership with Highland Electric Fleets to launch the district’s—and the region’s—first fleet of all-electric school buses, according to a news release.

Digital Edition