Squantum School

The new Squantum School is a public elementary school, supporting grades K-5 and located at its current 3-acre site at 50 Huckins Avenue, Quincy, Massachusetts. The Squantum School project includes a significant building addition and renovation to support a student enrollment of 380 and a staff of 80. The building is organized as a two-story structure with 80,000 SF. It is important to the community and city that many of the existing trees on the site be protected, including two mature pin oak trees at the front of the school. The site development includes renovating the highly valued 1919 building with the remainder of the school as a new addition.

Careful site planning allows for clear, safe, and separate vehicular circulation between staff parking, bus/van drop-off/pick-up, and parent car drop-off/pick-up zones and provides safe routes for students biking and walking to/from school.  The school is fortunate to be located directly adjacent to Moses Park, an asset to the community. The school project includes restoration and improvements to the park to serve the school and the community better.

The building is designed to be an all-electric building to achieve Net Zero Ready status on opening day. Sustainable features include a geothermal system for its heating/cooling system, reduced energy consumption, and renewable energy such as roof photovoltaic panels.

There are a few main focal points of the design. These include:

• The 1919 building and media center as a community resource and valued asset. A new vaulted ceiling celebrates the new space.
• The cafeteria, “Main Street,” and courtyard relationship as the “heart” of the school.
• Neighborhood classroom pods are arranged around central breakout spaces to bring grade-level communities together. These neighborhoods will foster a sense of community among grade-level teams and provide flexible spaces for support services, teacher meetings, and collaboration. They will also offer areas where students can work individually or in small groups under supervision. Integrating special education services into the grade-level communities minimizes transition times, and inclusivity is enhanced.

The courtyard and outdoor classrooms in the center of the building are the driving force behind the planning and form of the new Squantum School. This space provides a secure outdoor area for the school, brings daylight into the center of the building, and ensures all learning spaces have quality daylight and views.

The exterior design of the new Squantum School emphasizes blending seamlessly into its coastal neighborhood context while maintaining a residential scale and architectural language. The approach respects the existing 1919 building without replicating its original architecture or adopting an overly modern style. Material selection was crucial in aligning the new structure with the contextual architecture. Durable and cost-effective masonry materials were chosen for their traditional civic character. At the same time, shingled surfaces were prioritized to reflect the residential and historical qualities integral to the neighborhood. To strike a balance between durability, low maintenance, and the desired aesthetic, Arrowstreet proposed using terracotta shingles. These shingles provide the texture and historical appearance of traditional materials while ensuring enhanced durability and minimal upkeep. Preserving the most significant portion of the 1919 building facing Huckins Avenue was a key priority. Restoration efforts include replicating the original slate tile roof, which honors the building’s historic character. Through thoughtful material selection, careful restoration, and a balanced design approach, the new Squantum School achieves harmony between past and present, honoring its historical context while addressing contemporary needs.