Conservatory Lab Charter School

Conservatory Lab Charter School (CLCS) is a tuition-free public Charter School serving grades K-8 located in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester. CLCS’s mission is to empower a diverse range of children as scholars, artists, and leaders through rigorous academic and music education inspired by El Sistema & Expeditionary Learning.

To accommodate the growing needs of its students, Arrowstreet designed CLCS a new Elementary/Upper School facility to house 275 students in grades 3 through 8. The three-story building includes core and specialty classrooms, media center, gymnasium, music rehearsal rooms, administrative offices, and a multi-purpose cafeteria for concerts, special events, afterschool programs, and community events.

Located along a busy street, the site is designed to improve vehicular circulation, pedestrian safety, and green space. 20% of the entire site is planted with native plants and regionally appropriate turfgrass. The overall effect provides shade to pedestrians, reduces urban heat island effect, and provides a visual green connection between the site and the neighboring open spaces.