During the school day, the facility will serve as home to 480 CDCPS students in grades 5–8, providing a unified middle school experience. | Photo Credit: The Community Group, Finegold Alexander Architects
By Lindsey Coulter
LAWRENCE, Mass. — The Community Group (TCG), a nonprofit dedicated to education and family support, celebrated a major project milestone with the signing of the structural steel framing for the organization’s new educational facility in Lawrence. The much-anticipated project broke ground in July and will transform learning and care opportunities for local children and families. The project is part of TCG’s goal to establish a new, year-round home for several of its programs. During the school day, the facility will serve as home to 480 CDCPS students in grades 5–8, providing a unified middle school experience. The facility is expected to open in summer 2027.
“This beam that we’re about to sign represents our shared mission for what this educational facility will offer to our students, our family, and our community,” said Maria Gonzalez Moeller, TCG Chief Executive Officer, at the event. “It symbolizes growth, opportunity and our continued commitment to providing high quality learning environments to the children and families of Lawrence.”
When complete, the new 53,000-square-foot facility will house the Community Kids Place, TCG’s school-age childcare and enrichment program which serves approximately 300 children, and it will unify three upper school campuses of Community Day Charter Public School under one roof. The building will also serve the broader community through after-school programs, athletics and youth summer activities. Located on the site of a former farm, the facility will include instructional space, offices, gymnasium, cafeteria, playing fields and outdoor learning areas for a seamless connection to nature.
The project team includes construction firm W.T. Rich, real estate consulting firm QPD, and Finegold Alexander Architects
“We’ve really enjoyed working so closely with the whole TCG team to bring this project to fruition,” said Regan Shields Ives, Principal and K-12 Studio Leader at Finegold Alexander Architects. “We set out to make this new educational facility one that really reflects the TCG community of children, educators, parents and caregivers; one that is warm, safe, and inviting as well as inspiring.”
In addition to serving as will a year-round, versatile educational hub, it will include nnovative instruction and project-based learning, supported by dedicated STEM and enrichment classrooms serving both school-day and out-of-school-time programs. The building will also offer access to indoor recreation, sports programming, and communal gatherings, anchored by a modern full-sized gymnasium and a welcoming cafeteria with A/V capabilities. Nature-based educational and recreational experiences will take place across acres of outdoor green space, promoting physical wellness and social-emotional growth. A nurturing environment with thoughtfully designed classroom pods and breakout spaces will foster personalized learning and include home-like design touches to promote comfort and connection.
At the July groundbreaking event, Moeller noted that the project is more than simply a building.
“It represents our commitment to creating a modern, community-centered environment where children and families can thrive,” said Moeller. “This new facility will provide the space, design, and resources necessary to support high-quality learning and care for generations to come.”