- New state-of-the-art building for the combined P.A. Shaw and Charles Taylor School communities will be first new elementary school building in the South Dorchester and Mattapan communities in a generation
BOSTON – Wednesday, December 13, 2023 – Today, Mayor Michelle Wu and Superintendent Mary Skipper announced that Boston Public Schools (BPS) has received official approval from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors to build a new state-of-the-art elementary school for the combined P.A. Shaw and Charles Taylor School communities. The MSBA Board of Directors voted on Wednesday morning to invite BPS to participate in its Core grant program, laying the groundwork for BPS and the City to move forward on its long-term commitment to the Shaw and Taylor communities.
This project marks a historic milestone as it will be the first new elementary school building constructed in the South Dorchester and Mattapan communities in a generation.
“Winning approval for Massachusetts School Building Authority funding will have a tremendous impact on our students and the entire Boston community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. This new school will give our families the quality experiences they deserve and serve as a hub for innovation, creating an environment where our students can flourish academically and socially.”
The new school will serve as an invaluable resource for the community’s students to learn, grow, and thrive in an area of Boston where there has been a significant growth in enrollment. The MSBA has proven to be an outstanding partner for Boston youth, providing critical support on the design and construction of innovative school building projects across the City. Most recently, the partnership has resulted in the completion of the Dearborn STEM Academy in Roxbury and the Boston Arts Academy Project in Fenway, as well as the ongoing construction of the Josiah Quincy Upper School and the Carter School.
“This project is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the City, BPS, and the MSBA,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. “We are committed to ensuring that every student we serve in BPS has access to school buildings that support an innovative and high-quality student experience.We are incredibly grateful for the MSBA’s support and look forward to partnering with them and with the community as we move forward on this project.”
This strategic investment aligns with BPS’s dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the community and fostering a supportive environment for every student.
“The South Dorchester and Mattapan communities have long awaited a new elementary school,” said Boston School Committee Chairperson Jeri Robinson. “We are thrilled to embark on this journey that will positively shape the educational landscape for generations to come.”
BPS will be hosting informational sessions and seeking input from various stakeholder groups in the Shaw and Taylor school communities to ensure that the new school reflects the aspirations and meets the needs of the entire community.
“We look forward to working closely with Boston Public Schools to bring this transformative project to fruition,” said MSBA Executive Director Mary Pichetti. “This project shows our dedication to supporting projects that enhance the educational experience for students across the Commonwealth.”
“It’s exciting to learn that BPS is receiving funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority to invest in our facilities and provide the 21st century education our children so desperately need to thrive, and I urge BPS to keep the community involved in the process to determine the final location and be transparent about the future plan with students and families,” said State Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley. “As a former third grade teacher, I have seen first-hand the importance of both family involvement and the school environment for our young people and their future trajectories, and I am looking forward to witnessing a true partnership between BPS and the school community.”
“We’re thrilled that MSBA is advancing this proposal as this is an opportunity to build the first new school for Mattapan & Dorchester communities since 2003. Every single BPS student deserves healthy, sustainable and inclusive schools close to home and this proposal moves us closer to that goal,” said State Senator Liz Miranda. “I’m grateful to the administration, school committee, and city council for advancing this proposal.”
“A new Shaw/Taylor School is welcome news for Dorchester and Mattapan students,” said City Councilor Brian Worrell. “As the first new school in those neighborhoods in two decades, it’s a big investment in an area where a large amount of the BPS population resides. All of our students deserve gyms, libraries, cafeterias and room for the arts, and I’m hopeful these ideals are centered in BPS’ long-term facilities plan.”
“As a Taylor School and BPS graduate, I fundamentally believe that we need to be building more schools, ones that affirm the dignity of our school communities with modern facilities, universally accessible spaces, and culturally responsive support systems that aim to create a more effective, empathetic, and equitable educational landscape,” said City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune.
