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).

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

  • Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts

    Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Secret to Efficient, On-Time School Infrastructure & Modernization Projects is All in the Preparation

    Warmer weather and longer days make summer the ideal time for construction and modernization projects at educational facilities. School boards and construction firms must coordinate effectively to ensure that these projects do not extend even a single day into the school year and impede classroom operation.

  • 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.

  • Florida District Completes Construction on New Leadership Institute

    Pinellas County Schools near Tampa, Fla., recently announced that construction is complete on the new Dr. Michael A. Grego Leadership Institute, according to a news release. The district partnered with Rowe Architects for the project’s design and with Skanska for construction services.