The project team recently completed the Feasibility Study phase, which evaluated multiple options for addressing the district’s space, programmatic, and facility needs. | Photo Credit: Swansea Public Schools
What You Need to Know
- New Student-Centered Campus: A new junior high school building adjacent to the existing high school will create a shared campus while meeting the specific needs of grades 6–8 students.
- Focus on Inclusive Learning: Learning neighborhoods, flexible classrooms, and inclusive special education spaces are designed to support diverse learners and teaching approaches.
- Connection to Nature and Well-Being: Outdoor learning spaces and abundant natural daylight promote student wellness, engagement, and academic success.
- State and Community Collaboration: With MSBA approval secured, the project is advancing through Schematic Design in partnership with Swansea Public Schools, the Town of Swansea, and state officials.
- Long-Term Investment in Education: Breaking ground in 2028 with completion in 2030, the project represents a lasting commitment to future-ready education in Swansea.
Learn More
SWANSEA, Mass. — Plans for a new Joseph Case Junior High School are advancing as the Town of Swansea and Swansea Public Schools move into the next phase of a long-term investment in public education. The project, which will serve students in grades 6–8, is currently entering Schematic Design with firm Finegold Alexander Architects following approval of the Preferred Schematic Report by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).
“Finegold Alexander Architects is proud to partner with Swansea Public Schools on this essential Joseph Case Junior High School project for the whole community,” said Regan Shields Ives, Principal and K-12 studio leader at Finegold Alexander. “Our mission aligns seamlessly with the school’s commitment to provide an environment for students to engage, think, and succeed in both their local and global communities.”
The proposed project represents a major opportunity for Swansea to reimagine how educational spaces can support learning, inclusion, and community connection. The Preferred Schematic design calls for a new junior high school building located adjacent to the existing Joseph Case High School, creating a shared campus that encourages collaboration while clearly supporting the unique needs of middle school students.
At the core of the project is a commitment to student-centered learning. The design emphasizes “learning neighborhoods” tailored to the junior high school model, allowing students to feel a sense of belonging while fostering collaboration and engagement. Flexible instructional spaces are planned to support a range of teaching styles and learning needs, including inclusive special education programming.
Access to outdoor learning areas is another key element of the project, recognizing the importance of hands-on experiences and connections to the natural environment. Classrooms and common spaces are designed to maximize natural daylight, a feature shown to support student well-being, focus, and academic performance. Safety, accessibility, and durability are also central considerations, ensuring the school will serve generations of students.
“This new school is more than a building—it’s an investment in the future of every child who walks through its doors,” said Swansea Superintendent of Schools Scott C. Holcomb. “The project gives us the opportunity to align our physical learning environment with our educational mission and the needs of today’s students.”
The project team recently completed the Feasibility Study phase, which evaluated multiple options for addressing the district’s space, programmatic, and facility needs. With MSBA approval secured, the project now moves into Schematic Design in close collaboration with the Town of Swansea and state officials. Community input will continue to play an important role as the design is refined.
Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2028, with the new Joseph Case Junior High School expected to open in 2030. Once complete, the school will stand as a central hub for learning and community life in Swansea, supporting a safe, diverse, and nurturing environment that encourages lifelong learning.
As the project progresses, Swansea Public Schools and town leaders view the new junior high school as a lasting investment—one that reflects the community’s shared commitment to education, equity, and the future success of its students.