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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].

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