New, $163M Middle School to Open in Massachusetts

A new middle school in Weymouth, Mass., is ready to welcome students for the new academic year. Maria Weston Chapman Middle School covers 252,000 square feet and will play home to more than 1,400 students sixth- through eighth-graders, according to a press release. Weymouth Public Schools partnered with BOND Building Construction, Inc. for construction and with HMFH Architects for the project’s design. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Aug. 6 to celebrate the grand opening, and the first day of school is Sept. 6.

“Our team is honored to have worked on such an innovative building and one so vital to the community of Weymouth,” said Frank Hayes, BOND Building Construction President. “Over many months of collaboration, planning and hard work, we’ve been able to deliver an institution that will help foster a meaningful learning environment and create the best possible experience for all students who walk through its doors.”

Weymouth Chapman Middle School
Rendering Courtesy of HMFH Architects

Chapman Middle School contains three academic wings as well as lab spaces, maker spaces, and a central space known as the “Town Square.” The Square will function as the school’s dining hall and a general circulation space, and it also features a professional performance theater space with a capacity of 840.

“Hearing the pride and the way that people spoke about Chapman, we took as part of our mission to design the new Chapman with that level of love, care and enthusiasm so that great learning can happen here—and so that, one day, it can serve as a symbol of this community,” said Matt LaRue, HMFH Project Designer.

The school’s website reports that the previous facility for Chapman Middle School was facing mounting repairs and deferred maintenance issues. The new facility features amenities like 45 general classrooms; 21 science classrooms; 13 test prep rooms; a 10,000-square-foot gymnasium; four lab spaces for STEM, PBL, computer and technology programs; a 4,000-square-foot media center; outdoor play and learning spaces; and a Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC).

About the Author

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

Featured

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • Girl Sitting at Library Desk, Using Laptop

    How Campus Design Shapes the Finals Week Experience

    Academic performance is not just about preparation. It is closely tied to how students manage stress, maintain their energy, and shift between work and recovery modes. Much of that is influenced, directly or indirectly, by design.

  • Chicago District Completes Construction on New Elementary School

    North Chicago School District 187 in North Chicago, Ill., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Forrestal Elementary School, according to a news release. The new school marks a major investment in military-connected students and families at Naval Station Great Lakes.