Massachusetts Charter School Breaks Ground on New Academic Building

By SCN Staff

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.—Boston-based Finegold Alexander Architects has just announced the groundbreaking of the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School’s new Academic Building in Marlborough. The firm was selected in 2021 to design the new 17,000-square-foot classroom and science lab building with expanded learning opportunities and with state-of-the-art classroom technology. A ceremony to mark the occasion took place on November 14. Featured attendees and speakers include Chairperson of the AMSA Board of Trustees, Raul Porras, Executive Director Dr. Lisa C. Mobley and student speaker Angelina Dasilva of grade 9.

Originally opened in 2005 to bring quality education to an underserved area, AMSA is a public charter school that serves students in grades 6-12 from over 30 communities in the greater Boston area. The school currently owns and occupies a three-building campus located at 165, 199 and 201 Forest Street in what used to be an office park. Finegold Alexander is working closely with AMSA to align the school’s campus facilities to support their rigorous, college-oriented educational program. The first step is the design of the new 17,000-square-foot Academic Building. This first phase also includes the redesign of the campus site circulation to improve the pick-up and drop-off system for students and their families, while providing a defined separation between vehicular and pedestrian traffic

“We are excited to embark on this significant partnership with AMSA to creatively address the design challenges that the school is currently facing,” said Regan Shields Ives, Principal and K-12 studio leader at Finegold Alexander. “Our goal is to support its mission of integrity, excellence, and community through innovative and welcoming design,” said Christopher Lane, Principal and Project Manager at Finegold Alexander.

Finegold Alexander has a long history of designing educational spaces, whether it be renovating and transforming existing buildings or new construction, into inspirational and future-forward learning environments. Their impressive portfolio of K-12 projects in New England includes the Eliot Innovation School in Boston, the Gibbs School in Arlington, and the new Gladstone Elementary School in Cranston, Rhode Island. ASMA selected Finegold Alexander for the firm’s expertise and understanding of the school’s needs as it continues to offer excellent academics, ranking as the #3-rated public high school in Massachusetts.

“We are thrilled to partner with Finegold Alexander on transforming our campus into a 21st century educational institution,” said Dr. Lisa C. Mobley, AMSA Executive Director. “Their experience working with other K-12 schools will be invaluable in helping us improve our facilities for our students.”