Wakefield Memorial High School

Building Project

Project Overview

BEGINNING OF NEW SCHOOL YEAR!

Wakefield Public Schools welcomed students back on September 5. In preparation for the start of the school year, additional safety measures were introduced in the area of Farm Street and Hemlock Road. 

Construction continues on the new Wakefield Memorial High School and Northeast Metro Tech buildings, and the safety of students, staff, construction teams, and commuters is a top priority. The following modifications will be made to improve travel in the area:

    • The crosswalk on Farm Street, between its intersections with Old Nahant and Hemlock Roads, will feature a new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB). This will enhance the crossing’s visibility and alert motorists that pedestrians are present.
    • An additional crossing guard will be hired to assist High School students during arrival and dismissal times. 
    • Two temporary speed tables will be installed on Farm Street and an additional speed table will be installed on Hemlock Road. These will be used to calm traffic speeds in the school zone. 
    • School Zone road markings will be refreshed.
    • A speed trailer will be placed in the area so motorists are aware of their speeds versus the posted speed limit.

As the school year begins, remember to keep an eye out for students throughout town walking, biking, rolling, and taking the bus.  

We wish all our students a great year ahead!  Questions can be directed to the project team at info@wakefieldmhsproject.com.

CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN!

An exciting milestone has been reached in the Wakefield Memorial High School project: construction has begun! Ground improvements and the relocation of a drainage culvert are in the first phase of work occurring over the next few months. Foundations will begin mid-summer 2024 and Steel Erection Beginning in October 2024!

Your patience during construction is greatly appreciated.  The project team will strive to be good neighbors throughout the process. Questions can be directed to the project team at info@wakefieldmhsproject.com.

PROJECT HISTORY

Wakefield Memorial High School (“WMHS”) was originally built as a Junior High School in 1960. In 1972, the Junior High was converted into the current WMHS through the construction of major additions to the north and south of the school. Since then, except for some relatively small improvements and modifications made toward meeting the accreditation requirements, the High School has remained virtually untouched.

In 2016 a comprehensive facilities assessment was completed and presented to the Wakefield Permanent Building Committee. The study highlighted numerous physical building challenges, the most significant being related to the buildings envelope and lack of thermal insulation in the exterior walls, poor ventilation and air quality of the mechanical systems, outdated electrical and fire alarm systems, insufficient plumbing and large sections of the building that are not ADA/MAAB compliant. 

The facilities assessment also highlighted programmatic constraints that hamper the High School’s ability to provide a learning environment consistent with the District’s Educational Program. There are educational program deficiencies and challenges within the building related to spatial provisions, configurations and adjacencies which limit the rational and functional relationship of programs within the building. Likewise, the absence of some key types of educational and support spaces exacerbates the educational challenges faced.

On April 9th, 2019 the Town of Wakefield submitted a Statement of interest (‘SOI”) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”). Submitting an SOI is the critical first step in the MSBA’s program for school building construction, addition/renovation, and repair grants. The SOI allows districts to inform the MSBA about deficiencies that may exist in a local school facility and how those deficiencies inhibit the delivery of the district’s educational program.

On December 16, 2019, following review of the SOI, the MSBA invited Wakefield Memorial High School into the Eligibility Period. Having fulfilled the preliminary requirements during the Eligibility Period the MSBA subsequently invited WMHS to conduct a Feasibility Study. A Feasibility Study Agreement was executed by the MSBA and the Town of Wakefield on March 25, 2021.

The new Wakefield Memorial High School Project completed the Design/Bidding Phase of the Project by the end of June 2024. The Construction Phase of the Project begin in April 2024 with early Enabling Work and Site Clearing. Currently, the Construction Team is currently working on enabling Site Work and Site Improvements and Installation of the Building Foundation. The Project is currently on Track to begin Steel Erection October 2024.

Wakefield Memorial High School (“WMHS”) was originally built as a Junior High School in 1960. In 1972, the Junior High was converted into the current WMHS through the construction of major additions to the north and south of the school. Since then, except for some relatively small improvements and modifications made toward meeting the accreditation requirements, the High School has remained virtually untouched.

In 2016 a comprehensive facilities assessment was completed and presented to the Wakefield Permanent Building Committee. The study highlighted numerous physical building challenges, the most significant being related to the buildings envelope and lack of thermal insulation in the exterior walls, poor ventilation and air quality of the mechanical systems, outdated electrical and fire alarm systems, insufficient plumbing and large sections of the building that are not ADA/MAAB compliant. 

The facilities assessment also highlighted programmatic constraints that hamper the High School’s ability to provide a learning environment consistent with the District’s Educational Program. There are educational program deficiencies and challenges within the building related to spatial provisions, configurations and adjacencies which limit the rational and functional relationship of programs within the building. Likewise, the absence of some key types of educational and support spaces exacerbates the educational challenges faced.

On April 9th, 2019 the Town of Wakefield submitted a Statement of interest (‘SOI”) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”). Submitting an SOI is the critical first step in the MSBA’s program for school building construction, addition/renovation, and repair grants. The SOI allows districts to inform the MSBA about deficiencies that may exist in a local school facility and how those deficiencies inhibit the delivery of the district’s educational program.

On December 16, 2019, following review of the SOI, the MSBA invited Wakefield Memorial High School into the Eligibility Period. Having fulfilled the preliminary requirements during the Eligibility Period the MSBA subsequently invited WMHS to conduct a Feasibility Study. A Feasibility Study Agreement was executed by the MSBA and the Town of Wakefield on March 25, 2021.

The new Wakefield Memorial High School Project completed the Design/Bidding Phase of the Project by the end of June 2024. The Construction Phase of the Project begin in April 2024 with early Enabling Work and Site Clearing. Currently, the Construction Team is currently working on enabling Site Work and Site Improvements and Installation of the Building Foundation. The Project is currently on Track to begin Steel Erection October 2024.

Project Timeline and Status

SEPT 2027 -

Closeout Phase – Completing the Project

  • SEPT 2027 –

 

JAN 2027 – AUG 2027

Construction Phase – New Track/Field

  • JAN 2027 –  AUG 2027
JAN 2027

New Wakefield Memorial High School Open!

 

 

MAR 2024 - DEC 2026

Construction Phase – New School

  • MAR 2024 –  DEC 2026
MARCH 2024 - APR 2024

100% Construction Documents

 

 

DEC 2023 - MARCH 2024

90% Construction Documents

AUG 2023 - NOV 2023

60% Construction Documents

 

March 2023 - July 2023

Design Development

DEC 2022 - MARCH 2023

Funding the Project: Local Approval Vote

JAN 2023 – MARCH 2023

July 2022 - December 2022

Schematic Design

March 2022 - June 2022

Preferred Schematic Report

September 2021 - March 2022

Preliminary Design Program

May 2021 - August 2021

Wakefield Procures Designer

  • Town of Wakefield procures the services of a Designer using the MSBA Designer Selection Panel procedures
  • Read More
May 3, 2021

LeftField Appointed as OPM

  • MSBA OPM Review Panel approves Wakefield’s recommendation to appoint LeftField as Project OPM
February - April 2021

Owner Project Manager Procured

  • Town of Wakefield procures the services of an Owner Project Manager (OPM)
  • Read More
March 25, 2021

Feasibility Study Agreement

  • MSBA and Town of Wakefield executes Feasibility Study Agreement
December 16, 2020

Feasibility Study

  • The MSBA Board of Directors invites Wakefield Memorial High School to launch Feasibility Study
  • Read More
December 11, 2019

Eligibility Period

  • The MSBA Board of Directors invites Wakefield Memorial High School into the Eligibility Period (MSBA Module 1)
  • Read More
April 9, 2019

Statement of Interest

  • The Town of Wakefield submitted a Statement of Interest (“SOI”) to the Massachusetts Schools Building Authority (“MSBA”)
  • Read More

Shortcuts

MSBA WEBSITE

Click here for more information about funding and protocols of capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Click here for a reference guide to clarify context and meaning to common terms used in the building process for public projects