What is Priority one?
Manchester School District is undergoing the largest school facilities enhancement project in the city’s history, investing $306 million to modernize learning environments across the district. Priority One projects focus on significant renovations to the city’s four middle schools and the construction of a brand-new elementary school. These improvements aim to reduce class sizes, upgrade infrastructure, and create innovative spaces that support student success. This initiative is a key part of the District’s long-term vision to provide transformational learning experiences that prepare every student for future educational and career opportunities.
The Largest Facilities Enhancement in Manchester History
The District is embarking on the largest facilities enhancement project in the history of the city. The first phase of work, defined as Priority One projects, represents a multi-year investment of $306 million to enhance teaching and learning through significant renovations at the city’s four middle schools and the construction of a brand-new elementary school.
This work is one of three essential components in overall strategic planning efforts by the District to advance its vision of providing transformational learning experiences, so every learner has opportunities to pursue future educational and professional goals upon graduation from high school.
why are we doing it?
The average age of Manchester’s schools is about 75 years. With average life cycles of about 50 years, many no longer meet the basic standards required to effectively educate students in the 21st century. Major facilities needs were cited in the District’s strategic plan. Active facilities planning work followed with the Board of School Committee (BOSC) and numerous community visioning sessions. To assess and prioritize needs, the district partnered with SMMA, a leading educational and facility planning firm, to conduct an Education and Facilities Assessment in 2023.
The assessment helped establish the most pressing “Priority One” projects with a focus on Manchester’s elementary and middle schools. Several key considerations were factored into the Priority One projects and include:
- Decreasing class sizes to align with target policy guidelines.
- Improving student outcomes based on ABC – Attendance Behavior and Curriculum data.
- Making physical improvements, including air quality, modernized classroom design, indoor/outdoor spaces, better usability for community events, and technology integrations.
- Investing in energy efficiencies that lower operational costs and reduce environmental impact.
In August of 2023, the BOSC approved the scope of Priority One projects and in December, the District received final approval by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen with a commitment of $306 million in bonded funds from the City of Manchester. Healthy and thriving public schools are a direct link to healthy, thriving communities and this represents a substantive investment in our community’s future.
How will we do it?
Work on these projects commenced in 2024 and will continue for several years. The specific Priority One projects are listed below.
Henry Wilson Elementary School closing: Henry Wilson Elementary School closed at the end of the 2023–24 school year. Students and staff have been split between Beech Street School and McDonough Elementary School beginning with the 2024-25 school year until the completion of the new elementary school.
New elementary school: A new elementary school has been budgeted and approved to be built near the Beech Street School.
Middle schools: Hillside and McLaughlin Middle Schools received 5th graders for the first time starting in fall 2024. All four middle schools will undergo significant renovations and additions to accommodate additional students.
Modular classrooms: Brand new, temporary modular classrooms were placed at the Beech Street, McDonough, Parkside, Southside, McLaughlin, and Hillside schools to accommodate additional students during the construction processes. The classrooms opened for the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.
schools
Construction will be taking place at five Manchester School District schools as part of Priority One. These include Beech Street Elementary School and Hillside, McLaughlin, Parkside and Southside Middle Schools.
