Tewksbury Memorial High School

The Town of Tewksbury, MA faced multiple challenges related to its ageing high school facility. The building was not suited to interactive, engaged learning methods or to use by the larger community after school hours. Moreover, Tewksbury’s school committee sought a design that would better ease students’ transition from middle to high school.

Designed by SMMA, the new Tewksbury Memorial High School transforms the learning experiences of students by designing around modern educational methods. The building boasts inspiring spaces for connection and discovery, including a media center/library and dining commons.

The design takes from the “model school” program created for the Commonwealth by SMMA.

The 218,000 square foot school represents an update to the award-winning design of Hudson High School. Like in Hudson, the new facility is divided into three principal areas: the health and physical education wing; the commons, auditorium, administrative, and library area; and two stacked classrooms/instructional pods.

The school’s main entry is a glazed pavilion leading into the crescent-shaped commons area.

This commons acts as a hinge to link the various wings together. The health and physical education wing and commons/auditorium area are positioned so that after-school sports contests and other community-related events can take place while the classroom areas are secured.

The second-floor library/media center is the school’s intellectual heart.

The newly-created freshman “academy” is a smaller learning community that helps students transition from middle school to high school. Separately, an onsite alternative education program provides a safe haven for students dealing with severe social and emotional issues.

The first-floor dining commons hosts school and community events.

Located adjacent to the main entrance, the commons provides both pre- and post-function space for the nearby auditorium and gymnasiumm.

Organized around highly flexible large group instruction rooms (LGIs), the new academic pods allow for the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) programs.

Engineering, digital media, physics, and robotics are located on the ground floor. Upper levels connect mathematics, biology/chemistry, and earth sciences, while other pods connect the humanities. LGIs are capable of accommodating up to 150 seats for lectures, seminars, science fairs, art gallery displays, and long-term student projects.

The school site is tightly constrained by wetlands and residential neighborhoods.

SMMA worked closely with the Town to develop the site to support school functions and blend seamlessly into the fabric of Tewksbury.

“Our new high school speaks to the value the Tewksbury community places on education. I am proud and grateful to have been part of the ‘Tewksbury Team’ – parents, students, residents, town and school officials, Heery, SMMA, and CTA.  Now, along with an outstanding faculty, the children in Tewksbury have an incredible learning environment.”

– Dr. Patricia A. Lally, Assistant Superintendent of Tewksbury Public Schools and former Principal of Tewksbury Memorial High School