East Project
East Middle School Upgrade
The Town of Braintree and Braintree Public Schools have been engaged for several years in developing a comprehensive plan to provide educationally sound, fiscally responsible solutions to upgrading our facilities.
By partnering with the MSBA to invest in a renovation and addition to East Middle School, the Braintree Public Schools is addressing several strategic goals:
Address needs for increased space and capital improvements to aging infrastructure
Expansion of EMS to both the existing 6-8 program and our middle schools to include four grade levels instead of three to provide our educators more time with students who are, arguably, those most in need of strong school connections as they navigate the many developmental changes they are experiencing
Dramatically increase student access to technology through real-world technology applications and STEM program
Provide an accelerated, long-term solution for space constraints
Manage enrollment growth while maintaining neighborhood schools
Leverage existing infrastructure
5-8 Middle School Model Benefits
Expanded Programming
Expansion of programmatic opportunities to grade 5 students, such as world languages and technical education, which are currently part of the BPS middle school curriculum.
Increased Collaboration & Curriculum Coordination
Teaming and collaboration opportunities between grade 5 and 6 teachers. Stronger curricular and instructional coordination, sequencing and alignment among grades 5-8 through horizontal and vertical teaming within the schools.
Better Coordination of Specialized Services
Better coordination of specialized services for grade 5 students with special needs and ELL students through consolidated staffing and resources realized when providing supports in two buildings as opposed to six.
Enhanced Instructional Support
Enhanced instructional supports for individual students based on deeper understandings of who they are as learners over a four year period.
Improved Parental Involvement
Improved parental investment and involvement at our middle schools with the reduction of transitions and the inclusion of younger students and their families.
Improved Communications
Enhanced educator collegiality and improved communication/collaboration with staff and families.
MSBA Grant Timeline
Spring 2013, Statement of Interest (SOI) submitted invited to eligibility for renovation project
June 2014, MSBA Feasibility invitation for renovation project
December 2015, BPS request MSBA to consider renovation + core program (addition)
January 2016, MSBA returns Braintree back to Eligibility Period
July 2016, MSBA Invitation to Feasibility
November 2016, Submission of Preliminary Design Program (DPP)
February 2017, Preferred Schematic Report
May 2018, Schematic Design Submission
June 2017, Project scope and budget approval - awarded a $40.2 Million grant for the renovation of East Middle School.
Summer 2018, Construction begins
Fall 2019, Phase one completed
Summer 2020 (expected), Phase two completed
Learn more about the MSBA grant program process
In accordance with requirements set forth from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and 963 CMR 2.00, the Town of Braintree has established a School Building Committee for Braintree Public Schools. The Committee was formed in accordance with the provisions of all applicable statutes, local charters, by-laws and agreements of the Town of Braintree.
Project Information
Meetings
Agendas and Minutes from the Braintree School Building Committee can be found here (link)
Designs
Renovation vs New Chart (PDF)
Proposed Floor Plans (PDF)
East Detailed Project Cost (PDF)
Program
East Middle School Educational Program (PDF)
East Middle School Transition Plan (PDF)
Cost
Total Project Cost - $83.1 million
MSBA Grant - $40 million
Town Capital - $43.1 million